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ORTHODOXY 



UNMASKED f 



OR, 



\LL IS NOT GOLD THAT GLITTERS. 



BY GEORGE WASHINGTOiy. BANKS. 



PHILADELPHIA: 

FPvINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 

And Sold at No. 6, North Eighth Street. 

1829 



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Eastern District of Pennsylvania^ to wit : 

****«««»*« BEIT REMEMBERED, That on Tuesday, the 14th day of 

* % April, in the fifty -third year of the Independence of the United 

* SEAL. ^ statesof America, A. D. 1829, 

Marcus T. C. Gould, 
of tlie said district, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right 
whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit: 

"Orthodoxy unmasked; or, all is not Gold that Glitters. By George 
Washington Banks." 

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, intituled, 
" An act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of 
maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, 
during the times therein mentioned.'^ And also to the act, entitled, " An 
act supplementary to an act, entijbled, "An act for the encouragement of 
learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors 
and proprietors of such cbpi|pr during the times therein mentioned, '^ and 
extending the benefits there(Mothe arts of designing, engraving, and etching 
historical and other prints.'' 

D. CALDWELL, 
Clo'k of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



ORTHODOXY UNMASKED. 



The anxiety evinced to enlist my services in the cause of 
orthodoxy was matter of astonishment not only to me, but to 
most of those who knew me. My abhorrence of despotism, in 
all its hideous forms, whether openly exercised by arbitrary 
power, or covertly aimed at by ecclesiastical finesse, had been 
frequently expressed in conversations with those with whom I 
had formed an acquaintance, in this state ; and before none, 
had those opinions been more emphatically delivered, than some 
of those persons, who, with obsequious obeisance, swallow the 
creeds and dogmas of Quaker Orthodoxy. It is true, that the 
short time I had resided in this country, had not afforded an 
opportunity to many persons to know me, or my opinions; but 
being unaccustomed to conceal or disguise my sentiments, and 
the schisms in the Quaker Society being the almost exclusive 
theme of the day, it became quite impossible to mix at all in the 
circles of my neighbourhood, without being induced, either 
directly, or indirectly, to express an opinion upon that subject. 
In doing so, whilst I sustained my own opinions, and exposed 
the fallacies of my opponents, with the best powers of my mind, 
I listened with patience and forbearance, to the hallucinations 
of my intemperate adversaries, and regretted to see them forced 
to such shifts to support a rotten cause. 

In the autumn of 1827, I removed from the state of Virginia, 
and settled in this place, a near neighbour to Elisha Bates, wjth 
whom, however, my acquaintance had been very limited. In 
the month of May following, I visited my native state, to which 
place I had been called, on business, and did not return until the 
fifth of August last. Previously to my departure, Elisha Bates 
(then confined to his bed by sickness,) sent to request that I 
would call on him, he having some business that he wished me 
to transact for him. I shortly thereafter waited on him, when 
he informed me, that he believed he had made some discoveries^ 
which would greatly diminish the labour in printing, give expe 
dition to the process, and consequently lessen expense; and 
that he had intended for some time to prepare a model, but had 
been prevented by various circumstances from doing so. Such, 
liowevcrj was his anxiety to ascertain whether any thing upd^n 



the same principle bad been patented, that he proposed furnish- 
ing me with a drawing, which I could compare with such models 
as I might find in the patent office, in the city of Washington. 
He, at the same time, submitted to me the model of a plough, 
the contrivance of which he considered ingenious and important, 
and requested me to examine the office, to ascertain its claim 
to originality and utility, to both of which matters 1 did attend, 
during my absence from home. 

From the solicitude expressed by E. Bates before I left home, 
in relation to those two ingenioiis discoveries, it will not be ex- 
pected that I should have been surprised at a visit from him in 
less than twenty minutes after my arrival. I well know the 
anxiety it is natural to feel for such things as affect our pride, 
and our interest, and I readily forgave this unseasonable intru- 
sion upon my time, after so long a separation from my family. 
I thought [perceived an unusual degree of agitation, hurry, and 
concern, and I was anxious to relieve his mind as quickly as 
possible. Upon entering my house, 1 introduced him to a son- 
ip-Iaw, who had come out to this state with me, (the only per- 
son who remained in the room,) stating him to be my son-in-law, 
and was surprised, (not at all anticipating his real errand,) that 
under such circumstances, I should be asked to grant him a 
private interview. Still a stranger to what he had to commu- 
nicate, and supposing that it was the press and the plough that 
brought him to see me, I begged that he would consider us as 
private as even the absence of my son could make us, he being 
acquainted with all my secrets. 

He then informed me, that after I left the state the difficul- 
ties in the society had increased, and that it was expected an 
appeal to the legal tribunals of the country would have of neces- 
sity to be resorted to. He then also, to wit, on the 5th day of 
August, 1828, informed me, that a committee to take charge of 
the law concerns of the society had been organized, and that he 
was deputed by that committee to enlist my professional ser- 
vices. Nothing could have been more unexpected to me than 
this communication, for various reasons, — first, because I had 
been led to believe, that the Quaker Society had, from its com- 
mencement, entered their formal protest against law and law- 
yers, except in the particular cases embraced in their discipline, 
which cases were indispensable exceptions, desio:ned to place 
them upon a footing of equality with other socienes; and, se- 
condly, because I well knew that my opinions in relation to the 
conduct of the Orthodox, were well understood, and generally 
ascertained by that party in this place, &c. &c. In this state 
of feelings, I hesitated for a moment, and then inquired, what 
services would be required of me ? to which he replied, that it 
would be expected that I would attend to all such matters, and 
things, as might be involved in the contest that was then going 



DTI, or anticipated, and if I was under no previous engagement, 
lie wished nie to consider myself retained. 

This opened a wide field of labour, and promised an abun- 
dant harvest. I had often heard the party boast of their wealth 
and influence; and although I abhorred their cause, I knew that 
they were apprized of the fact, and therefore my conscience (if a 
lawyer can be said to have one) was at ease. 

I knew that my arguments, when advocating their principles, 
must be artificial and insincere; that my labours must be in 
proportion, not only to what I had to learn, but to what I had 
to unlearn; but these things constituted a part of my profes- 
sional character and duties; and I was willing to labour in my 
vocation, to avail myself of the advantages of my profession; 
and further, I did not consider myself at liberty to refuse a 
cause, because the principles I might have to advocate were not 
consonant to my private judgment. Perhaps, indeed, as I was 
at that time gazing on an object to whom the following lines 
might most forcibly apply, they might have been suddenly sug- 
gested to my mind, and have determined me in the course 1 
should pursue. 

*' Though religion be all the world's pretence. 

Money's the mythologic sense, 

The real substance of the shadow. 

Which all address, and courtship's made to." 

Finding, during my absence, I presume, that the plough and 
the press w^ere not likely to become so profitable to him as the 
best patent for oppression, Elisha seems to have abandoned his 
former views, and to have his mind exclusively bent upon such 
a discovery, as being more suitable to his genius and character; 
for, notwithstanding the repeated interviews I have had with 
him since my return, he has never once mentioned those unim- 
portant matters to me. And, as it does not unfrequently hap- 
pen, that when a man rises above his former condition, he is 
unwilling to be reminded of his quondam ignoble employment, 
I have not considered it safe to say to him, your mechanical 
projects were considered as visionary and useless, as your reli- 
gious pursuits are considered vexatious, tyrannical, and unjust. 

Being entirely unacquainted with any thing that had passed 
during my absence, and my affectionate patron having been pre- 
viously apprized of my never having had any acquaintance with 
the forms, customs, laws^ doctrines, &c. &c. of the Quaker So- 
ciety, until my arrival at this place, (for it is a fact, that pre- 
viously thereto, I had not known a half dozen members, and 
never been within the walls of one of their meeting houses,) 
kindly informed me, that he would place me in possession of 
such facts, books, references and instructions, as would enable 
me to take both a minute and comprehensive view of the subject. 
In this he was true to his promise, (which deserves notice,) for 



in a few days thereafter, I was furnished with books, references. 
&c. &c. enough to have occupied my undivided attention for a 
quarter of a century, accompanied, at the same time, with his 
own remarks, to elucidate the various and complicated subjects 
to which I was referred, as well as to guard me against inad- 
vertently and incautiously stumbling upon points contained in 
the works furnished, which might go to the denial of the cor- 
rectness of those principles and doctrines, which it had then 
become my duty to establish. 

When I first gazed upon the tomes, quartos, &c, &c., and 
then upon my volumes of instructions, when I reflected that I 
had been told, that it would be expected of me, from my en- 
gagement and locality, to afford advice, and render other pro- 
fessional services when called on, in relation to any, and all 
matters that might turn up, in the course of the controversy in 
which I was enlisted ; when I heard denunciations daily uttered, 
and listened to the opprobrious epithets they used, without re- 
serve, against the adverse party — I say, with truth and sincerity, 
that I felt the most poignant sorrow and regret at the situation 
in which I was placed. But what was to be done? my profes- 
sional character might have suffered, had I shrunk from the 
labour and responsibility carved out for me, and, in the language 
of Macbeth, I exclaimed, 

** I am in blood 

Stept in so far, that should I wade no more, 

lleturning were as tedious as go o'er/' 

To afford a view of the labours imposed upon me, and to show 
thereby the base and unjust conduct of this laia committee 
towards me, it will be necessary to insert the instructions and 
references furnished, in the order of time I received them, some 
facts in which, cannot but forcibly strike the attention of the 
reader. In doing this, I merely touch the curtain of secrecy, 
which will be gradually raised as 1 proceed, until, I doubt not, 
the candid and just of every Society will stamp upon their pro- 
ceedings, not only in relation to me, but their persecuted bre- 
thren, the character of infamy. 

The following communication was delivered to me about 
three or four days after our first interview: — 

*' In order to form a correct idea of those points of controversy 
which are likely to arise out of the present disturbed state of 
the Society of Friends, and the decision which must depend on 
the social compact of the Society itself, it will, I apprehend, be 
necessary to look back to the origin of the Society. 

In many particulars our religious policy differs essentially 
from tlial adopted by any other denomination in Christendom ; 
and licnce it may be difficult in cousideiing questions arising 
among ourselves, for those who arc acquainted only with other 



religious systems, to become entirely divested of the bias (if 1 
may use the expression) which those other systems are calculat- 
ed to give. I shall, therefore, endeavour not only to state the 
facts as they exist in our history, but also some of the reasons on 
which those facts are believed to be foundt^>d. 

When the Societj^of Friends first made its appearance in Eng= 
land, a little after the middle of the 17th century, the members 
were bound together merely byunison of feeling and harmonious 
accordance in the doctrines of the gospel. Their conduct to- 
wards each other was dictated by that feeling, and governed by 
those principles, which are revealed in the gospel. At that time 
the persecution to which the infant Society was exposed, was a 
sure test of the sincerity of the individual members. 

In the course of a few^ years, however, the necessity for seme 
regulations, and the institution of meetings for carrying those 
regulations into effect, became increasingly obvious. The objects 
at first attended to were few — the relief of the poor, the widows, 
and the fatherless, and those who were under suffering in the 
way of persecution for their religious principles. These were 
soon followed by a general care over the conduct, &c. of the 
members. — See Gough^s History, vol. 2 — 158 to 199. 

The rules at first were generally advices of George Fox, and 
perhaps some few others, who had been peculiarly instrumental 
in gathering the Society. The meetings also were unconnected 
with each other. The superintending care of George Fox and 
others, forming a connexion and general concert of desigfi and 
measures, during this infant state of the Society. Quarterly and 
Monthly Meetings were generally established, before there was 
any Yearly Meeting. As a superintending care over the whole 
society became more necessary to be exercised in a collective ca- 
pacity, the ministers convened annually and exercised that care. 

This meeting of ministers recommended the institution of a 
Yearly Meeting of representatives from the Quarterly Meet- 
ings, which was accordingly held once, and then discontinued; 
but after a few years was again revived, and has been continued 
from that period to this. — See the Introduction to the volume of 
Epistles notv furnished — the body of the work consists of Epistles 
addressed to the whole Society, — See VoL of Epistles^ Introduc- 
tion^ and fore part of the work. 

Such was the origin, and such the institution of the first Year- 
ly Meeting in the Society, which was then, and continues to be, 
held in London. This meeting, at first, was undoubtedly the 
superior Meeting for the whole Society, possessing legislative as 
well as judiciary powers. It is legislative, because here the 
discipline is adopted, revised, and occasionally enlarged; and 
here is the ultimate decision in all cases of appeals from the 
decisions of subordinate Meetings. .^.. 

The Monthly Meetings have been called the et(J|Jutive de- 



8 

partment of the Society, but 1 think they are more properly or 
a judiciary character. To these meetings offenders are particu 
larly amenable, and if necessary, disowned; applicants for ad- 
mission into membership received, and the rights of membership 
of emigrants transmitted and received from one part of the 
world to another. || 

The Quarterly Meetings exercise a care over the Monthly 
Meetings within their respective limits, give advice, hear ap- 
peals, &c. The subordination of these meetings to each other^ 
in regular gradation, will be seen in the discipline. — drt. Disci- 
pline, Sfc, 

Besides these meetings, there are two other classes, one the 
meetings of ministers and elders, designed for the special care 
of the ministry ; the other the meeting for sufferings, which see 
in the Discipline. This meeting, perhaps, bears the nearest 
resemblance to the executive branch of our civil government. 

In all communities, whether civil or religious, one of the very 
first conditions of the compact, by which they are united, must 
be understood to be the accountability of individuals, directly 
or indirectly, to the whole body, or to the constituted authorities 
of the whole. 

In our Society each Monthly Meeting appoints certain offi- 
cers within each particular meeting within their respective 
limits, termed overseers. When individual members violate 
the rules of discipline, it is the duty of overseers to visit them, 
inquire into the facts of the case, and endeavour to convince 
them of the impropriety of their conduct, and, if necessary, re- 
port the case to the Preparative Meeting. From the Preparative 
it is forwarded to the Monthly Meeting, where a committee is 
appointed to visit the offender, hear his defence, if he has any 
to make, extend admonition, if necessary, and report to their 
Monthly Meeting. If the charges are sustained, and the offend- 
er does not manifest repentance by such written declaration as 
may be satisfactory to the meeting, a testimony of disownment 
is ordered against him, which is prepared by a committee, set- 
ting forth the offence, and declaring him no longer a member of 
the Society. If he is dissatisfied with the proceedings, or thinks 
himself aggrieved, on any ground whatever, he has a right to ap- 
peal to the Quarterly Meeting. — See Discipline, Art. JJppeals, 

But it will be readily seen, that as one individual may be 
vicious, and impose on the Society the necessity of excluding 
him from the communion, so a number of individuals may be 
equally vicious, and the necessity of their accountability to the 
Society in its general capacity be in proportion increased. A 
large proportion of the members of a Monthly Meeting, or the 
whole of them, might become thus vicious, set the discipline at 
defiance, permit the most immoral conduct, or anti-christiaa 
principleMfeKo unreproved and throw such characters on other 



9 

jjarts of the Society, either as ministers or emigrants. Hence 
the necessity for the power in superior meetings to lay down 
inferior meetings, and of course without their consent, when 
necessary. For, as the consent of a criminal is not deemed 
necessary to make his punishment legal, when he is fairly con- 
victed, so the consent of an individual to his disownment, when 
he has violated the rules of the Society, cannot be necessary to 
make that disownment valid, for this would reduce all govern- 
ment to a nullity at once; so by a parity of reasoning, we can- 
not suppose that a refractory and disorderly meeting would ever 
consent to its dissolution, or that the power should be wanting 
in the whole to suppress such disorders in a part. This subject 
of the subordination of meetings demands particular attention^ 
as it is likely to become one of the principal points of contro- 
versy. 

Adverting back to the institution of the Yearly Meeting in 
London, on the representative principle, it appears to have been 
the understanding that the representatives constituted the meet- 
ing. At first, many other active and influential members also 
attended, and took part in the deliberations of those meetings. 
By degrees the attendance of the meetings took a wider range, 
and all the members within their respective limits were under- 
stood to be at liberty to attend, express sentiment, and, as they 
appeared qualified, be appointed to services. But it is believed 
that nothing appears on the records of the Society any where, 
formally defining who constituted the Yearly Meeting, other than 
this original constitution. Whether the Quarterly Meetings 
were at first instituted on the representative principle, is not 
quite so clear. These facts are stated, because it may sometimes 
become a question of litigation, what was the judgment of a 
meeting.^ which might also involve the question — w4iat was the 
meeting? 

This brings me to another point, the most difficult, perhaps, 
of elucidation of any in our whole system, the manner of decid- 
ing questions in our meetings for discipline. In these meetings 
we have no president, chairman, or moderator. The only osten- 
sible officer in such meetings is the clerk, who gathers the 
judgment of the meeting, and records its decisions. Questions 
are never put to the vote among us. Such a case has probably 
never occurred in the Society, though these meetings have been 
in existence for a century and a half. In explanation of this 
peculiarity, Clarkson^s Portraiture may be consulted^ but more 
particularly Barclay^ s Anarchy and Penn^s Rise and Progress. 

The great principle laid down as the foundation of our system 
of church government, is the authority of Christ himself by his 
divine influence in his church. Admit the important proposi- 
tion, that He is the head of his church, and it will follow that it 
is his prerogative to rule and govern its decisions. I know that 
2 



10 

the views of most other denominations on this subject render 
this doctrine extremely obscure, and perhaps unintelligible to 
them. Still, it is our principle, and the foundation of our church 
government; and hence, being admitted by us, it will be obvioua 
that the mode of deciding questions by majorities, would be total- 
ly inadmissible. In all societies there are many, perhaps very 
many, whose minds are not properly subdued, who are under 
the influence of corrupt passions. Men of great attainment* 
too are fallible, and may err in judgment ; and we believe, that 
in our meetings generally, where there has been a due sense of 
that reverence which is due to Almighty God, and that depend- 
ence which properly belongs to us, there has been, and will con- 
tinue to be, a discernment between that which is dictated by the 
wisdom which is from above, and that which is of a contrary 
nature. Thus it was in the primitive church; after discussion 
and elucidation they would say — It seemeth meet to the Holy 
Ghost and to us. 

After a subject is discussed in a meeting, the clerk forms a 
minute, expressive of what he believes to be the religious sense of 
the meeting, and reads it. If acquiesced in, it is taken as the 
judgment of the meeting; if discussion ensues, he may, perhaps, 
new model his minute; then reads it for approbation, and thus 
the business finally settles. But how far the judgment of a 
meeting on our principles could be identified in a court of law, 
is a question demanding particular reflection; and in case the 
opposite parties in a discussion remained irreconcilably at vari- 
ance, how far numbers would be regarded, or the representatives 
be considered ; the meeting must also be taken into consideration. 
Again adverting to the first organization of the Society into 
meetings for discipline, it may be observed, that when the 
Yearly Meeting of London, on the representative principle, was 
instituted, it was undoubtedly the superior meeting of the 
whole Society. And as Yearly Meetings were set up in Ame- 
rica, they corresponded with that in London, which corre- 
spondence appears to have been intended to supply the place of 
sending representatives. At difterent periods the Yearly Meet- 
ing in London has extended its superintending care over the 
Society in London; but at present, the only remaining trace 
of that care, is the issuing an annual Epistle '' To the Quar- 
terly and Monthly Meetings in Great Britain, Ireland, and 
elsewhere." The Epistles are still received by our Yearly 
Meeting, and recommended down to the subordinate branches 
of the Society. But no written evidence appears any where, 
that I am aware of, (hat the original character of the Yearly 
Meeting in London has been changed, as respects the Society 
in this country. But the Yearly Meetings in America, have 
gradually grown up into an independent character. Each makes 
its own discipline, and appeals go no further than to the respec- 
tive Yearly Meetings. It is however understood, that it is the 



11 

assumed basis of the general compact, that all hold the same re- 
ligious principles, and the system of church government in all 
is essentially the same. On this basis, the Society is acknow- 
ledged to be but one, though divided into a number of different 
Yearly Meetings, and certificates of the rights of membership 
in one part of the Society, convey those rights to any other 
meeting in any part of the world. 

These facts are thus briefly alluded to, in order to suggest 
the inquiry — in case two bodies should convene, and each claim 
the character of a Yearly Meeting of the same name, how far 
the recognition by other Yearly Meetings, and particularly by 
that of London, would lie in the respective claims to that cha- 
racter. 

I find that an abstract from Penn^s Rise and Progress is in 
Gough^s Dissertation on Discipline, Vol, % p, 158, ^c. The 
parts of the Discipline which I would propose to be particularly 
examined, are, 

1. Appeals, 

On this part I would propose for consideration, whether a 
member of the Society can neglect the remedy provided in Dis- 
cipline, for the redress of grievances, in relation to his right of 
membership, and have the regularity of his disownment tried at 
law. Will a civil tribunal undertake to judge of the exercise 
of our discipline, and force upon it members with whom they can 
have no Christian fellowship? 

2. Certificates, 

On this head I would remark, that the various rights of mem- 
bers are understood to be specially located, if I may use the 
expression, in the Monthly Meetings; hence the requisition of 
certificates for ministers and emigrants. 

But a meeting to whom a certificate is presented, may, if dis- 
satisfied with it, reject it. In which case, the rights of the indi- 
vidual are not transferred to that portion of the Society. 

3. Conduct and Conversation. 

4. Discipline, fyc. 

See also Introduction, in which there is a general clause, 
which reaches many cases not specifically pointed out in rules. 

5. Meeting for Sufferings, 

6. Yearly Meeting. 

7. Testimony^ (J^c." 

The date of this communication, (for the reader must bear in 
mind dates,) and the temper in which it was evidently written, 
discoverable in various ways, but more particularly by the strong 
and uncourteous epithets and illustrations used, such as ^' the 
consent of a criminal to his own condign punishment," &c. &c^ 
soon convinced me, that nothing but a victim was required, and 
that it was expected, in the collisions which were taking place, 
one might be selected, to test the principles, which I was pre- 



12 

paring myself, with intense assiduity, to be able to establish. 
Indeed, there was so much anxiety to initiate me suddenlyinto 
all the views and designs of the Orthodox party, that I could 
not keep pace, by all the exertions I could make, with the anx- 
ious feelings of my patrons. Day after day, was I waited on 
by some of them, and in addition to their own views, a lengthy 
and able opinion upon some subjects of primary importance, (I 
allude to property and money,) given by a gentleman who de- 
servedly occupies a high standing for talents, was submitted to 
me, for my instruction, or correction, if I perceived any views 
which I might consider erroneous. 

Pending my inquiries, I perceived that the object was to pre- 
pare me to establish certain principles, assumed by the Ortho- 
dox to be correct, and that all the conversations and references 
were designed to prepare my mind for the attainment of these 
objects. I found that I was never consulted upon the best and 
most legitimate course to be pursued; that I was never required 
to examine their writings, to discover how far the measures 
they proposed to adopt, were in conformity with the principles 
and usages of the Society; but merely to carve out, by such in- 
structions and references as were furnished, and by my own 
resources, the best mode of accomplishing the objects they had 
resolved upon achieving — taking especial care, to avoid the 
adoption of any measure that might tend to lead them into legal 
embarrassments, and at the same time, to throw such impedi- 
ments in the way of their adversaries, as would be likely to 
involve them in difficulties. That such a situation must have 
been embarrassing and perplexing in the extreme, no one, I pre- 
sume, can doubt. It was certainly, of itself, an herculean un- 
dertaking, for one totally unacquainted with their customs, 
usages and writings, to be suddenly called on to acquire a 
knowledge of their legitimate rights, and to apply the remedy 
for every infringement made upon them. But to be restricted, 
in my inquiries, to the adaptation of principles to cases, to which 
they could not apply, without the most sophistical reasoning, 
Riade the drudgery to which I was exposed almost insupport- 
able. Yet such was my lot, and it was too late to withdraw. 

At length the occasion arrived when the demonstration was 
to be made, which none had doubted would lead to that trial of 
strength which it had been determined should be made. Many 
had foreseen, that the approaching meeting at Stillwater would 
present a case, upon which the conflicting claims of the parties 
would be urged, and the crisis it was believed was propitious, 
to bear, by its probable results, upon the drama which was pre- 
paring to be acted in this place, in less than a fortnight there- 
after. It is true, that this was viewed, in itself, as but the 
prelude to the performance — but the effect that might be pro- 
duced by a judicious and well concerted movement on that 



13 

occasion, was expected to have an operation, so imposing in its 
consequences, as to be calculated to dissipate the projects of 
their adversaries, which were believed to be in preparation, and 
entirely to disconcert and confound the plans and operations 
of their opponents. They affected to believe that their adver- 
saries were organizing a system of measures, to wrest from 
them their unquestionable rights, and they were resolved to 
bear down, by their irresistible weight, wealth and influence, a 
handful (as they termed them) of factious, discontented, and 
rebellious intruders. The events of that day, as was expected, 
gave rise to the first legal prosecutions, the preparations in re- 
lation to which, are entitled to, and shall receive the greatest 
possible attention. 

The most outrageous acts of insubordination, outrage, riot, 
and disturbance, were of course represented to have been com- 
mitted by the Hicksites. Deputies were hurried oft* to Steuben- 
ville, to procure process to bring offenders before the offended 
tribunals of the State. The most factious of the offenders, 
in each particular case of off'ence, were selected as the victims, 
and Judge Hallock was called on to take cognizance of the 
matter — at least, such was my information from the deputation. 
The Judge declined, saying that the alleged offences not 
having occurred in the county in which he resided, and there 
being a competent tribunal in the county where they were com- 
mitted, that tribunal might be applied to — giving assurance, as 
they stated, that if any similar acts should be committed in the 
county of Jefferson, he would promptly interpose his authority 
for their suppression; affording, at the same time, the most un- 
questionable evidences of attachment to the cause of Orthodoxy. 
These deputies at the same time stated, that the Judge recom- 
mended them to Judge Armstrong, as a man of sound integrity 
and good sense, from whom they would no doubt meet with 
that attention to their interests, to which, from their justness, 
they were entitled. To this communication, delivered in cau- 
cus to me and others, I listened with the mingled feelings of 
astonishment and incredulity. 

I had but once in my life seen Judge Hallock, but 1 thought 
I saw in him the manners of a gentleman, and what is better, 
the countenance of an honourable man; and I was constrained 
to believe, that there was some mistake, (to say the least of it,) 
in the statement. I knew that such a course would be a gross 
departure from his duty, and his character forbade the indul- 
gence of such a suspicion. 

Judge Armstrong, however, was the man, because Judge 
Armstrong was recommended by Judge Hallock; and further, 
because, upon diligent and careful inquiry. Judge Armstrong 
was ascertained to be Orthodox in his principles — a considera- 



14 

tion never to be lost sight of, in any matters involved in this 
contest. 

To Judge Armstrong then they went, with feelings still warm 
from their recent injuries, and to him they appeal, for redress 
the most summary that circumstances will permit. All this 
had been previously planned in caucus. The trial must be had 
without a moment's delay; victory before such a tribunal was 
sure, and that victory was to prostrate their enemies^ and pave 
the way for the quiet and undisturbed enjoyments of the Yearly 
Meeting house, at the approaching convention. The Judge 
granted their request, and made the process returnable at the 
shortest possible time, for doing which, they augured still more 
favourably of his future conduct. The day arrived for the trial; 
the adverse party craved a continuance, to which every honest 
and unprejudiced man must say they were entitled. The Judge 
obeyed the dictates of his duty and his conscience, and granted 
it; although urged by me (as in duty bound) to stamp instanter, 
upon the violent measures of the oftending party, the reprobation 
to which they were entitled. 

These measures, intended no doubt by my kind patrons to 
** eradicate the germ of enmity from the enclosure," were seen 
to produce no trepidation or ^larm on the minds of their oppo- 
nents, and it was therefore thought necessary to resort to every 
plan that could be devised, to secure the object which they 
were intended to produce. Previously however to the day of 
the appointed trial at St. Clairsville, my friend Elisha, (he who 
figures so conspicuously in the warfare,) in his great kindness 
to me, but greater unkindness to the adverse party, furnished 
me another volume of instructions, which, for inconsistently and 
duplicity, I pronounce to be matchless. If there be a man who 
can read them without pronouncing them to be the effusions 
either of folly or wickedness, I envy him not his fatuity or his 
prejudices. Let them speak for themselves. 

" In the cases of Camm Thomas and William Thomas, the de- 
fendants will probably deny being disowned. In the first place, 
it is probable that they will say that the meeting disowning 
them either was not the meeting, or, in other words, had no legal 
existence, or it had no jurisdiction. And in order to support 
such allegations, it will be attempted to be proved, that the 
Monthly Meeting to which they belonged never had issued any 
testimony against them. 

The facts are simply these : That some years, say many 
years ago, Stillwater Monthly Meeting was divided by the 
regular authorities accordingto discipline, and Somerset Month- 
ly Meeting, held alternately at Somerset and Ridge, set up, com- 
posed of branches formerly belonging to Stillwater Monthly 
Meeting. Both of these meetings have continued in the regu- 



BiiM&ii^HHiiHHii^^MiHltfai 



15 

lar exercise of their functions, being held at the usual times 
and places, and recognised by the Quarterly Meeting. 

The Hicksites in that section set up a Monthly Meeting at 
Somerset, without any authority from the Quarterly, {see Dis.) 
composed of disowned persons and individuals out of both 
Stillwater and Somerset Monthly Meetings; held it, at first, at 
times and places not usual for either Stillwater or Somerset 
Meeting to be held, and called it Stillwater Monthly Meeting. 
Camm Thomas was disowned, 1 believe, for taking a part in 
holding this Monthly Meeting, contrary to discipline ; which 
was, in fact, forming a separate Society. This spurious meet- 
ing was set up previous to the Quarterly Meeting in the Second 
month, at which latter meeting Camm Thomas was. The re- 
ports and representatives from the regular meetings of Still- 
water and Somerset were received at that Quarterly without 
a single objection^ but no reports or representatives were re- 
ceived from the Hicksite Monthly Meeting, 

This spurious meeting cannot have any regular existence as 
respects our Society ; not as a third, as regards the two out of 
which it was formed, because the discipline is pointed : No 
Monthly Meeting shall be set up or laid down without consent 
of the Quarterly Meeting ; which consent was not obtained, or 
even applied for. It cannot be Stillwater Monthly Meeting 
in its original extent, that is, with Somerset Meeting merged 
into it, because no proceedings whatever, tending to such a re- 
sult, ever took place in the Quarterly. Somerset Monthly 
Meeting never was laid down, but continues its regular exist- 
ence, and it is probable that such a proposition never was 
made in the Quarterly Meeting. And it cannot be either the 
regular Monthly Meeting of Stillwater, or the Monthly Meet- 
ing of Somerset, for both of these meetings, with their regular 
officers, have continued the discharge of their respective func- 
tions. But this Hicksite meeting, springing up, under circum- 
stances, such as times and places of holding it, the persons 
composing it, ^ome disowned, and others belonging to different 
Monthly Meetings, and destitute of the sanation required by 
discipline — in fact all the features which constitute a spurious 
meeting, or a meeting of a new society. 

In the next place, if the legal existence and jurisdiction of 
the Monthly Meeting disowning be established, they will say 
that there was not cause of disownment, or the proceedings in 
their cases were not regular, &c. Here we should take the 
ground, that the members of the Society have established tribu- 
nals, among themselves, for the redress of all grievances touch- 
ing the rights of membership. We have provided the remedy 
against all abuses by Monthly Meetings, by appealing to the 
Quarterly and to the Yearly Meetings; and this being, in the 
nature of things, the remedy provided by the members them- 



16 

selves, it being in the very social compact by which we arc 
bound together, individuals cannot reject this means of redress, 
and appeal to the civil authorities. The law must be (he dernier 
resorty in all cases of property or pecuniary interest, but never can 
change the social compact under which we live, nor dispense 
with any of the express provisions of the Discipline. 

Can a civil tribunal assume to be better capable of adminis- 
tering our discipline, or deciding on the letter or spirit of our 
rules, or the usages of the Society, than the Quarterly or Yearly 
Meetings? Why then appeal to a civil tribunal to punish Is- 
rael French and others ? Or will such a tribunal say who is 
or ought to be in church fellowship with us, and that in direct 
opposition to the judgment of the constituted authorities of the 
Society itself? Will a civil tribunal impose on a religious So- 
ciety, as members of it, persons whom the Society deliberately 
and solemnly believe themselves bound by their principles and 
discipline to disown ? Between every Society as a body, and 
the individuals of which it is composed, there must exist, for 
the union to be complete, a real religious fellowship, of which 
the parties alone can be the competent judges. Each individual 
is responsible, in his character, &c., for the principles and 
practice of the body, and this again bears a similar responsibi- 
lity for each member. Each member has a right to withdraw 
from the Society, and the Society must possess the right to cast 
out the individual, whenever he violates the social compact — 
whenever he breaks the bond of church fellowship; and any 
interference of the civil government, in either case, would em- 
brace the very principle of the ancient intolerance and perse- 
cution. The civil authorities would be guilty of persecution, if 
they restrained an individual in the exercise of private judg- 
ment^ and compelled him to remain in a Society with which he 
had not unity — or if they took from that Society the power or 
the exercise of church judgment, and compelled them to retain 
as members, persons who had broken the bond of church fel- 
lowship. 

^ The rights of property, which may be alluded to in discuss- 
ing this question, are not, in reality, matters of pecuniary inte- 
rest. We hold none of our rights and privileges as members 
of the Society by virtue of monied contributions. In the con- 
tributions for the various expenses of the Society, we raise no 
accounts with the Society ; and no instance, it is believed, ever 
existed in the Society, of an individual claiming or receiving 
remuneration for contributions, either to the building of meet- 
ing-houses, or to the current expenses of the Society. He 
enjoys in the Society, whether a contributor or not, certain privi- 
leges under the discipline. If he becomes disorderly, he for- 
feits those privileges; and his previous contributions, or other 



17 

wise, have no relation whatever to the question of disownment. 
—Monstrous! monstrous! monstrous!!! 

Should this principle not be sustained, and the Judge deter- 
mine to try the validity of the proceedings of the Monthly 
Meetings, the discipline against denying the Divinity of Christ 
will be found under the head of Conduct and Conversation. 

On the disownment of persons for setting up separate meet- 
ings, or joining another society, there are no statutary rules of 
discipline; we rest here upon common law principles.— What 
a Proteus ! he will not have law, and he will have law.— It has 
been the usage of the Society to disown for joining another so- 
ciety^ because this is not merely a violation of a single rule, but 
of the order of the Society taken as a whole. The general prin- 
ciples and reasonableness of the case must be applied to ; also, 
in the Introduction to the Discipline, is a general clause, 
which embraces this general view. 

In the cases of Parker Askew, who acted as clerk for the 
Hicksites, and James Belangee, who conveyed messages for 
them to the women's meeting, thus disturbing the meetings of 
both sexes, the question will be investigated, what is the meet- 
ing ? The regular course of proceedings, with the regular of- 
ficers of the meeting, will be the first strong ground to take. 
As late as the Second-month last, the Hicksites themselves at- 
tending, made no objection, and stated no difficulty, as to the 
identity of the meeting. — The contrary proven on the trial. — In 
aid of this succession, to use this term, it may be stated that 
the representatives virtually constitute the meeting. The vo- 
lumes of Epistles, and Gough's History, already furnished, may 
be referred to in support of this view ; also, Penn's Select 
Works, fol. 687. The usage^ for all persons within the limits 
of these meetings to take part in its decisions, does not make 
void the original constitution of these meetings, nor does the 
manner of deciding questions in these meetings alter the case. 
— What a miserable situation must I have been in ; sometimes 
referred to usage, and then cautioned against it. — The/ac/, that 
our meetings have heretofore been able to decide questions 
which have come before them, by so general a consent as to 
render it unnecessary for the representatives to show them- 
selves as a distinct body, does not divest them of their original 
character. They are still appointed by inferior, to attend the 
service of superior meetings, as in the first organization of these 
meetings, and their character as such is the same. Let the op- 
posite party show a change, if they can. 

The meeting being thus identified, it must be obvious that 
persons who have not been disowned, may as intolerably dis- 
turb the meeting as if they had been disowned; and what greater 
disturbance could they practise than to transact business there, 
and then — in the face of the meeting— and which, in itself, 
3 



18 

struck at the very existence of the meeting, or denied its ex- 
istence ? 

They will probably here bring into question the right of the 
Quarterly, to lay down a Monthly Meeting. They will say that 
a report from Plainfield was announced as being present, and 
not being received, sufficient cause was given to call on an- 
other clerk, &c. 

But admitting that Plainfield still has a legal existence, still 
the meeting, the representatives from the Monthly Meeting, 
did not call on Parker Askew to act as clerk for them, nor did 
he act for them, nor did either of the prosecuted persons act in 
any capacity for the genuine meeting. But the right of the 
Quarter to lay down the Monthly Meeting, must be sustained 
on the principle of subordination recognised in the discipline, 
both in Introduction, and under art. Discipline, &c. In addi- 
tion to this, the reason of the case is invincible; for a Monthly 
Meeting may as completely violate the discipline, and disregard 
the doctrines of the Society, as an individual; they might per- 
mit the most flagrant acts of disorder in individuals to pass with 
impunity, and thus place the most abandoned characters out of 
the reach of the Society; for such disorders must first be taken 
up by the Monthly Meeting, before they can be regularly before 
the Quarterly or Yearly Meeting; and in various other ways 
lay waste the doctrines and discipline of the Society ; and it 
would be as preposterous to expect, or to render necessary, the 
consent of such a meeting to its own dissolution, as the consent 
of an individual to his own disownment, or the consent of a cri- 
minal to his own condign punishment or execution under the 
civil authorities. 

If they cite John Griffith's Journal, as authority to show that 
superior meetings in England waited long for the consent of 
inferior meetings to be laid down — we say that this was of 
condescension, not necessity ; and the London Discipline could 
be produced, to prove that the power is given to Quarterly to 
lay down Monthly Meetings without their consent. But as the 
London Discipline requires previous labour on the part of the 
Quarter, which was not extended in the present case, it might 
not be well to make a formal reference to it. — Mark the dupli- 
city ! — but Elisha is ticklish. — We do not consider, however, that 
this materially affects the case. — Oh no, the thing was resolved 
on, and it is folly, in the opinion of Elisha, to make two bites at 
one cherry. — The Discipline of another Yearly Meeting in the 
details is not binding here, but the general principle of organi- 
zation and connexion and dependence of our meetings, is the 
same the world over. — Surely then the practice should be the 
same — but that did not suit the object. — The subordination is 
illustrated in the London Discipline; the labour is a mere con- 
tingency, a circumstance, and does not affect the right to lay 



maimmmm 



19 

down without the consent of the inferior meeting. — Vastly in- 
genious indeed. — They will probably attempt to construe the 
Discipline, in regard to setting up and laying down meetings, 
as the acts of such meetings themselves; but this is a false 
representation. They are always the acts of the superior meet- 
ing, and so have been understood. They will say that the appli- 
cation must be made by the meeting concerned, to the superior 
meeting. We say that application indeed must be made, but 
not necessarily by them^ for a disorderly meeting would be no 
more likely to apply for its own dissolution, than a disorderly 
man for his own disownment, or a robber for his own apprehen- 
sion and confinement in the penitentiary. Besides, in the case 
before us, the proposition for the laying down of particular 
Monthly Meetings was made by the committee of the Quarter, 
which is always on record. 

In case they should attempt to force an investigation of the 
disownments of C. and W. Thomas, I suppose that much ambi- 
guity will, if possible, be thrown over the terms Divinity of 
Christ, and it may be rendered, in sceptical distinctions, almost 
an inexplicable subject. Here then is an additional evidence, 
that on questions involved in the prescriptions of our Disci- 
pline, the Society itself is the alone judge of the meaning of its 
own language, and hence the injury which might arise in set- 
ting up any other tribunal in matters purely ecclesiastical." 

Reader, reflect; here is a prosecution predicated upon the 
charge of a crime, and the authority of the tribunal (before 
which the charge is preferred,) to settle the question, denied. — 
Oh! what abominable inconsistency, and detestable persecu- 
tion. "But \i driven to an exposition of the term, see confes- 
sion of faith, preseated to the Parliament, and incorporated into 
the act of toleration. See also the Doctrines of Friends, — Eli- 
sha's own compilation^ to suit his own views. — The declared 
judgment of our Yearly Meeting on the genuine doctrines of 
the Society. See also, if necessary, Barclay's reply to Brown, 
in which he declares that Jesus Christ was both true God and 
true man. 

They will endeavour to make it appear that our meetings are 
popular assemblies, and the will of the majority to govern. The 
evidence of the representative system refutes the first, and the 
usages — Ha! usages again, Elisha — of the Society stand 
opposed to the last, as we never have resorted to majorities to 
settle the business before meetings. The Hicksites have long 
insisted on the principle, and they may have adopted it, but 
Friends have denied it from the beginning." 

After receiving this sophistical and appalling communication, 
designed, as must be obvious, to prepare me to meet the emer- 
gency, which gave rise to the prosecutions at St. Clairsville, 
another caucus was convened, to decide upon the most advan^- 



20 

fageous plan of operations; and the deliberations upon thai 
occasion eventuated in the decision, to despatch me to Steuben- 
ville without loss of time, to consult with Mr. Wright upon the 
most effectual plan of operations, and at the same time to en- 
deavour to prevail on Mr. Wright to meet me at SL Clairsville, 
to co-operate in the effort to secure such a decision on the ap- 
proaching trial, as might ensure success u^on an occasion 
deemed much more important, and on which all their move- 
ments were intended to bear with accumulated force and influ- 
ence. But to make '' assurance doubly sure," I was instructed 
to take Smithfield in my rout^, and call on Benjamin W.Ladd, 
whose willingness to accompany me in this work of preparation 
was not doubted, for they well knew his zeal, his industry, his 
intolerance, his violence. True to my instructions, I obeyed, 
and found this same Benjamin ready and willing to join in this 
mission. To Steubenville then we hied, with a haste and pre- 
cipitancy, which had not only like to have put an end to my 
mad career in this business, but to a life which, from the harass- 
ing scenes and labours I was then subjected to, had nearly 
become loathsome, and almost insupportable. The driver, (for 
I was conveyed in a carriage,) anxious I suppose to keep up 
with Ladd, who had then become my pilot, either regardless of, 
or inattentive to, the rocks and declivities, which we were 
passing, at an unlucky moment, capsized the carriage, which 
performed a somerset in as complete style as ever was exhi- 
bited by the celebrated Manfredi to an admiring multitude ; 
and nothing but the intervention of a tree kept us from being 
precipitated to a distance of sixty or eighty feet, carriage, 
horses, driver and all. My life, however, was miraculously pre- 
served, and an injury not more material than some scratches 
and bruises, was the only immediate consequence. Yes, I say 
my life was preserved, for which 1 return thanks, notwithstand- 
ing it enabled me to perform labours and services, which, whilst 
in performance, were lauded and commended to the skies, but 
for which, when the time of settlement arrived, I was offered a 
compensation so pitiful and paltry, as to induce me to tell the 
archbishop, (by whose instrumentality he informed me I was of- 
fered so much,) that 1 could not offer him my thanks. After 
refitting, we continued our journey to Steubenville, and waited 
on Mr. Wright, with whom we conferred. Mr. Wright was 
solicited to attend the approaching trial at St. Clairsville, which 
request he refused to comply with, alleging that he had an ap- 
pointment at, or about that time, which could not be neglected. 
Prospects then seemed to be gloomy, events were passing in 
rapid succession, and I returned home, with an aching heart, 
sore bones, and* trembling anxiety, at the fearful responsibility 
that rested on me. I had no time for preparation, and if I had 
had^my instructions abounded in such gross inconsistences and 



mmmmimmmamammmmmmi 



21 

irreconcilable incongruities, that the genius and intuition of a 
Curran, or a Philips, would have been required, to reconcile the 
contradictions, and prepare even a sophistical argument, to ope- 
rate with any effect in the accomplishment of the desired object ; 
I felt that I should "languish under a cause too weak to carry 
me, and too heavy to be carried by me/' and that 1 should have 
to oppose the resources of my limited ingenuity, to the difficul- 
ties by which I should be surrounded. 

m My kind, amiable, and affectionate patrons, saw my difficul- 
ties and embarrassments, and in pure love for themselves, 
seemed desirous of inspiring me with energy, by their meretri- 
cious caresses, and unceasing assiduities; and such was their 
concern for my ease, and their own advancement, that I was 
honoured, I almost blush to name it, by the no less distinguish- 
ed attention, than to have this doughty and distinguished B. W. 
Ladd for my driver to St.Clairsville, taking care to carry along 
with him for my use, volumes enough, not only to frighten me, 
who had to use them, but to strike (as he supposed) terror and 
consternation in the opposition ranks. But innocence is fear- 
less; and I found, to my shame, that both Benjamin and me, 
and I might include our library of books, were viewed not 
only with contempt, but without dismay. 

To say the truth, although I saw my honours blush around 
me, yet having heard that honours were sometimes dearly won, 
1 did not feel entirely easy in my situation, in any respect. I 
had heard strange accounts of Benjamin, and had seen that he 
was impatient of contradiction ; and I thought it.would be well 
in our intercourse to moot as few points with him as possible. 
It had been said in my presence, with what truth it was not 
then for me to judge, "that he was a noxious animal, that car- 
ries plague, pestilence, and contention, wherever he goes."— 
Indeed, he had been represented as 

«< The incendiary vile, that is chief 

Author and engineer of mischief, 

That makes division between friends. 

For profane and malignant ends." 

And such I soon found was the light in which he was consi- 
dered by those who were prosecuted at St. Clairsville ; for to 
him, on that occasion, was attributed the origin of that conten- 
tion. But Benjamin was thus far polite, respectful, and civil to 
me, and most courteously smiled approbation of many of my 
views. — But, alas ! 

** A man may smile, and smile, 

Andbeav— 11— -n!" 

at least, I'm sure it may be so in Smithfield. 

Let the closing scenes in this drama evince the truth of the 
poet's remark— 

From St. Clairsville we had to depart, disappointed and cha- 



grined, not so much at the circumstance of the cases not being 
tried, for we were not ready, although we professed to be so, as 
at the disclosures that were then believed to be made, that the 
judge was not purely Orthodox; or surely the Orthodox thought 
he could have no regard for the rights of such people. They 
could find ^' no positive authority in their discipline fordelay,'^ 
for, as Elisha says, '* this is a mere circumstance, a matter of 
condescension, not of right," and certainly not to be extended in 
cases of such violent aggression and lawless usurpation, as ia 
the cases then pending. But the judge chose to decide on that 
matter, and to his decision they were compelled to submit, not 
without many fearful forbodings of future consequences. 

But, as will readily be supposed, this discomfiture only point- 
ed to the necessity of organizing a system of operations, neces- 
sarily more vigorous and energetic than any other previous one, it 
being indispensable to meet the approaching eventful crisis, and 
to supply the loss of influence, occasioned by the late abortion. 

Day after day was announcing the arrival, or expected arrival, 
of forces. Fame, with its trumpet tongue, was sounding the 
alarm of approaching opposition. Nothing was too gross and 
incredible to acquire credit, though reported by envious, lying, 
and malicious slanderers, and all was haste, confusiofi, and con- 
sternation. The Hicksites, as they termed them, were repre- . 
sented as not too good to commit any outrage, resort to any 
measures, however warlike, or enter upon any projects, however 
vile, to accomplish their nefarious purposes; and how to resist 
them, became the subject of severe investigation. The Ortho- 
dox could not consent to forfeit their testimony, yet they could 
not consent to forfeit their indisputable and exclusive claim to 
the meeting house. 

They knew that they were required " by the innocency of 
their conduct, convincingly to demonstrate themselves to be the 
real subjects of the Messiah's peaceful reign." What then was 
to be done? This was a crisis that required a master spirit to 
" mount the whirlwind, and direct the storm." The battle was 
to be won, or, in plain English, the meetinghouse was to be re- 
tained, and every eye was turned, and every movement was 
made to bear, upon that decision. No circumstance had yet 
occurred to justify a direct appeal to authority. A system, 
therefore, of oftensive and defensive measures was to be carved 
out by the Orthodox, which, whilst it should hold out to the 
world only the maintainance of their principles, was, neverthe- 
less, nothing more nor less than war in disguise. 

Reader, are you incredulous ? look to the succeeding events, 
and they shall furnish the proof. Can you expect any other 
than inferential proof? To use the language of archbishop Bates, 
'*as well might you expect the consent of a criminal to his own 
condign punishment and execution, under the civil authorities," 



HHttttlMMiHJnHMI 



23 

as to expect even an admission of the facts, from those who 
were in the secrets of the conspiracy. By their own acts, then, 
and the irresistible inferences from them, I will convict them. 

The undisturbed possession of the meeting house, 1 have said, 
was to be secured, and the inquiry was, as to the mode of 
achieving the object. There was no propriety, and, if there 
was, there could be no plan devised to call on the civil autho- 
rity to give them possession, and keep them in possession- 
Possession they had, and no one as yet had even threatened to 
dispossess them. All they could say, was, that a joint posses- 
sion would be claimed whenever the time arrived when the use 
became necessary, and upon that suggestion alone it had been 
decided, that the judge could in no way interfere. The Hicks- 
ites had not been intimidated by the late results at St. Clairs- 
ville; on the contrary, it was believed, they had acquired 
additional confidence and energy, and that, emboldened by re- 
cent proceedings, they would not hesitate to assert their legiti- 
mate rights and privileges. To have the peaceful and orderly 
character of their approaching meeting disturbed by impious 
society, was an idea so revolting to Orthodox piety, that no- 
thing but frenzy seemed to preside over their deliberations. 

Can no means be devised whereby we may avoid the intole- 
rable intrusion, and consequent interruption, arising from such 
a state of things ? Many of these rebellious people were repre- 
sented as being disowned, according to Orthodox discipline, 
and others under dealing ; against those, at least, it was consist- 
ent and proper to close the doors, and deny admission. ^f§et 
there were others equally obnoxious and mischievous, who had 
escaped the vigilance of their destined persecution, and they 
would, in all probability, ''as intolerably disturb the meeting,'' 
as those upon whom they had either commenced, or finished 
their plans of exclusion ; and against those, what could be done ? 
Aye, there was the rub. At length, one glimmerin$>; ray of hope 
presented itself, to mitigate the deep despondency, and that 
sprung from the deep conviction which they professed to feel, 
of the depravity of their adversaries. They could not doubt, 
wicked as they were, but that they would admit the legitimacy 
of the disownments that had taken place, and were progressing; 
but they doubted not that the co-operation of many who were 
disowned, or under dealing, would be considered of too much 
importance to be acquiesced in, without a struggle, and from 
that struggle a state of things was expected to arise, which 
would afford ample justification for any course which they might 
be induced to pursue. Yet other difficulties supervened, of a 
character scarcely to be gotten over. There was but one justice 
of the peace in the town, and he, as they said, was ascertained 
to be anti-Orthodox, (a matter, as I have remarked, of para- 
mount importance,) but that justice was sick, and could be 



24 

applied to, or not, as circumstances might require. Here again 
was a matter that required the most delicate tact. The charac- 
ter of this amiable.man stood upon a foundation which Orthodoxy 
itself dared not attempt to shake, and it therefore seemed that 
the state of his health upon that occasion was a circumstance 
not to be much regretted. Did the difficulties stop here.^ No — 
The constable of the town, also a worthy and respectable citi- 
zen, was contaminated by the same execrable principles that 
cast a stain upon the otherwise spotless character of the magis- 
trate; and from him nothing but a cold, hesitating, and dilatory 
movement could be expected, if, indeed, he would act at all. 
But all these matters were to be surmounted, and of course a 
council was to be held, and the investigation was to be entered 
upon seriatim. 

To the difficulty that presented itself in relation to the ma- 
gistrate, it was agreed, that should no other of more suitable 
opinions be obtainable, he should be called on ; he was an honest 
man, and, although strongly inclined to principles of freedom 
and equality, yet if the case was made sufficiently strong, 
(which it was the object to make it,) he surely would afford the 
relief which the character of the case would justify, and the law 
imperiously demand. 

The constable would be called on — if contumacious or hesi- 
tating, a constable might be made to meet the emergency, and 
nothing then would be wanting, but the overt act, to justify the 
remedy. 

fhe question then was, how is this to be produced.^ 
eader, bear in mind the time and circumstances. — News 
had arrived, that it had been remarked, that, as the liberty of 
the press was secured by law, that term did not apply merely 
to books, papers, &c., but to the privilege of securing a desirable 
object, by the application of so much physical force as might be 
found indispensable, taking care to avoid that species of vio- 
lence, which, in legal construction, might constitute a breach of 
the peace, a riot, or any other violence over which the law may 
exercise jurisdiction. That "liberty," it was understood, was 
threatened, and it was expected that in the exercise of that pri- 
vilege, a headstrong and factious multitude, goaded by a sense 
of imagined oppression, might commit such acts as would make 
them obnoxious to legal interference. To aid in the execution, 
of these plans, it was determined to place guards at the meeting 
house on the night preceding First-day meeting. 

When the term guards is here used, let it not be for one 
moment believed, that the duties of these guards were to oppose, 
by violence, any attempt to break in, and take possession of the 
house — no such thing. The house was to be made as secure as 
the nature of the case would admit of, so that any breach that 
might be made must be attended v/ith a degree of force, that 



iHlB^iaH^HHMiaBi 



25 

could not be considered lawful ; and then, if an entry was made, 
these guards were forthwith to give information of the manner 
and persons, by which an appeal could be made to the best 
sources for relief that might then be present. Previously, how- 
ever, to this decision, the right to exercise control over the 
meeting house, and the authority whence that right was derived, 
had been made a subject of consideration and reflection. The 
property was either under the control of the trustees, or the 
person who had the honour of sweeping the floors, making the 
fires, and turning the key; and all of these but one (and he was 
absent at Columbus) were thorough-going, high bred Orthodox, 
and of course the cestui que trusts, whether they composed a 
minority, or a majority, could have no opposite claim. Any 
entry, therefore, upon the premises, contrary to the prohibition, 
accompanied with the violence necessary to obtain admittance, 
would, and must be considered, such an act as would justify a 
prosecution for a riot or a trespass. But more difficulties still 
presented themselves, and those of a character not so easily 
removed; indeed, it was a severe test, and difficult for those 
who were called on by their actions and their lives, to "intro- 
duce the blessed cause of peace upon earth," *' to screw their 
courage up to the sticking place. '^ 

The meeting house was to be retained, and these bold defend- 
ers of Orthodoxy (although the means were not consistent with 
their profession) could not be diverted from their darling object 
by any consequences that were likely to flow from such a deter- 
mination. In the progress of this investigation the idea was 
suggested, that if the Hicksites did resolve upon obtaining pos- 
session, they would probably enter upon the measure with such 
force and numbers as would paralyze the arm of civil power, 
unless aided by all the auxiliary resources within the call of 
authority, and that might lead to scenes of a nature and charac- 
ter that might stain the spotless name of the Orthodox Society, 
and call forth the censure and derision of the world upon this 
abandonment of the testimony. It was a solemn and awful ap- 
peal, and well calculated to inspire awe and trepidation, and 
some halted before they could be induced to take the fatal 
plunge. 

The measures, until they arrived at this point, were thought 
ingenious in their contrivance, and practicable in their nature; 
and would it now answer to abandon this fair and beautiful 
fabric, which only required the last stone to complete the build- 
ing? *'it is the key-stone that forms the arch" — it could not, 
it should not be so. One difficulty, and only one, opposed the 
consummation of the plan, and that was to be disposed of in the 
only possible way. If they force us, said the Orthodox, to re- 
sort to the law for protection, it will be produced by their own 
folly and wickedness, and if, in calling in that aid, it should 
4 



26 

drag along with it the posse coinitatus, all the consequerrces 
which maj ensue will be produced bj their own intemperate 
zeal, and fanatical frenzy. 

Rem, facias rem, si possis recte, si non, aliquomodo, rem, 
was the decision; the liberal translation of which is — Keep pos- 
session of the meeting house, without forcCj if possible; but 
keep possession of the meeting house. 

To accomplish this favourite object, if to be accomplished at 
all, it must readily be perceived, produced difficulties and em- 
barrassments which nothing but an ingeniously concocted plan 
of operation could be expected to effect. Direct and straight 
forward measures might have been devised, which would have 
appeared to be calculated to accomplish the views of my patrons; 
but direct and straight forward measures were not to be taken, 
because they might be countervailed by the opposite party; and, 
moreover, it would not answer, that the world should see a state 
of things existing, which was not only at variance with the re- 
cognised principles and immemorial usages of the society; but 
which, if witnessed by the world, would enlist public feeling on 
the side of the oppressed. Artifices and devices must be intro- 
duced, which, whilst they would hold out only the appearance 
of caution, and justifiable prevention, would produce all the 
effect of open and honourable resistance. 

But, I repeat, let it not be understood that this decision met 
the entire approbation of all concerned — it was not so; there 
were some conscientious members, who expressed their disap- 
probation of any measures not entirely consistent with, and con- 
sonant to, what they believed to be the genuine principles of 
religious forbearance, and upon whose minds the very idea of 
force seemed to have an appalling influence. But submission 
to Orthodox authority is a principle too zealously inculcated to 
be disregarded by the inferior agents. 

The preparations that were making, the measures in opera- 
tion, the secrecy in the plans, and the anxious solicitude de- 
picted in the countenances of the master spirits, communicated 
suspicions to some of the parly, vv'hich spread consternation 
and alarm, of a nature too powerful to be resisted. Time af- 
ter time did poor old James Heald, the principal guard, visit 
me, and express his apprehensions that more was designed 
than expressed to him, at the same time stating his unqualified 
objections to any measure, that was designed to produce an 
abandonment of the principles of the Society. 

During these, scenes it became a matter of inquiry with 
some, how it would be possible, for persons clothed with the 
full authority of the law, to check and restrain the impetuosity 
of an incensed multitude, with any force that might be at hand, 
without calling in the aid of the Society; and how far the So- 
ciety could, in conformity with its testimony, co-operate. But 



27 

the object was to be accomplished, and the consequences were 
to be justified by the circumstances which would produce them. 

The uninterrupted possession of the meeting-house was the 
grand desideratum. It was believed that that would not be ac- 
quiesced in peaceably, and if interruption was designed, it was 
desired that it should occur before the meeting for business on 
Second-day, so that measures might be taken to paralyze the 
opposition that was believed to be in preparation. To this 
end were the measures and devices I have described resorted to, 
and, although they turned out to be unnecessary and absurd, 
they nevertheless exhibit, in an awful light, the character of Or- 
thodoxy. 

Pending the agitation of these questions, and the prepara- 
tions that were in progress, every moment of my time was ne- 
cessarily employed, either in preparing myself to decide upon 
occurrences that were likely to arise, in receiving communica- 
tions from various sources, or to unseasonable intrusions, by 
day and by night, from many, who, having, I suppose, been in- 
formed that I was bound by my engagement to be their most 
obedient humble servant, flocked to my house to ask — ask, did 
I say? — no, to demand information of the projects on foot^ 
thereby to aftbrd them an opportunity of deciding upon their 
fitness or unfitness, feasibility or impracticability. And this 
was, a circumstance not to be wondered at, as, when introduced 
at all, it was almost invariably accompanied with this enviable 
distinction, '*' this is our lawyer," &c. But honours are not 
always unproductive of troubles, and unaccompanied by bene- 
fits; haud inexpertus bquorJ^ Nor were these the only incon- 
veniences to which I was exposed. It will not be imagined 
that I would be permitted, by the higher authorities, to give 
the desired information to all who might seek to obtain it — far 
otherwise. I well understood, not only the danger of such a 
course, but the disapprobation I should incur from those who 
rule the destinies of the many, should I permit mjself to travel 
out of the path of duty that had been chalked out for me, by 
committing the secrets of the charnel-house to every imperti- 
nent inquirer. I was therefore induced to withhold the desir- 
ed information, at all times, to be sure, with the best apology I 
could make, but not unfrequently to the most evident dissatis- 
faction of my unknown and unwelcome visiters. To their ex- 
postulations upon this subject, I had to apply the resources of 
my best invention. It was not my interest to give offence to 
any, but it was my required duty to give information to but 
few. My reply then, generally, would be : *^ by your acquaint- 
ance I am not honoured ; I can have no reason to doubt the 
soundness of your principles, and strength of your attachment 

* I speak from experience. 



28 

to the cause, but I am bound to be on my guard ; for, although 
jou no doubt are Orthodox, yet, by indulgence in too much in- 
caution, the enemy may insidiously penetrate our camp, and, 
by a stratagem of war, defeat all our plans and operations," 
With this course some were satisfied, and commended me ; but 
others departed without even leaving behind them their bene- 
dictions. 

From such a state of things, good Father, deliver me, and 
giiard me, in times to come. 

1 had like to have forgotten to mention another of the contri- 
vances, which constituted a part of these preparations, and was 
considered almost indispensable to the full accomplishment of 
this grand design. Some strong fears were entertained, that 
any representations, made upon the sole authority of ex-parte 
testimony, however strong they might be made, would be viewed 
with distrust, and therefore it might be well to strengthen the 
Orthodox guard, by adding two persons, not members of the 
Society of Friends, whose presence would afford them an op- 
portunity of witnessing the anticipated outrages, and sustain 
the contemplated application for redress, inasmuch as they 
must be considered witnesses above all exception. Two such 
persons were therefore sought, and their aid enlisted, most re- 
luctantly to them, being men of mild, pacific, and unassuming 
manners and character, and apprehending the probability of 
much inconvenience and loss of time, that might be consequent 
on the undertaking. But being told that for their services they 
should be well rewarded, they reluctantly entered upon the 
duties. Time rolled over, and no intimation being thrown out of 
any design to ratify the promises they had received, they found 
it necessary to aid the memory of their employers, by present- 
ing their accounts, for two dollars each, with receipts subjoin- 
ed. To this modest and most moderate demand it was replied, 
that the charges were extravagant, and the accounts and re- 
ceipts unceremoniously pocketed, with a casual remark, that 
when time afforded convenience, they should be attended to. 
The presentation of these accounts, for services rendered in 
the early part of September, having been postponed until the 
latter part of December following, and the delay of many days 
thereafter, with the accounts and receipts retained, gave rise to 
some remarks ; and then, I presume, it was deemed adviseable to 
pay them, to silence the expression of public indignation, that 
was beginning to display itself at this conduct. 

Contrary to expectation, the night passed off without any of 
those violent measures having occurred, which had been looked 
for with such intense interest. A profound and death-like 
silence prevailed in that building, which was expected to be the 
theatre of riot and outrage in the course of the night ; and poor 
old James Heald, one of the Orthodox guards, passed a sleep- 



29 

kss night, in anticipation of the scenes to which he was to be 
exposed by the kindness of his friends. 

But let it not be supposed that the seeming tranquillity which 
prevailed, was considered in any other light, than as the pre- 
curser of the storm that was believed to be gathering. No; it 
was believed to be the harbinger of an approaching trial of 
strength, which, in its consequences, was to decide, not only 
the fate of that day, but of the opposite parties in this western 
world. Every man was expected to be at his post. 

This was a day which, by the undeniable usages of the Socie- 
ty, afforded to the community at large the privilege of taking 
seats, without respect to persons or opinions; but yet there 
were rules, it was believed, which restricted the rights of indi- 
viduals in expressing opinions which would go to the denial 
of Orthodox logic, and he who should dare to express an opi- 
nion not strictly conformable to the Orthodox creed, was to be 
denounced as forfeiting his claim to the character of a Christian 
minister. Indeed, there were some, who it was expected would 
assert their privilege, who were represented as having forfeited 
that character, according to the established regulations and 
usages of the Society. Upon these a watchful eye was to be 
kept, and such measures as the nature of the case would admit 
were to be used, to keep the altar undefiled by the pollution of 
heretical doctrines. 

From such a predetermination, what else could have been ex- 
pected than such things as ensued ? Scenes, so disgraceful, so 
overbearing and dictatorial, as to extort a tear from pity, and a 
sigh from charity. 

Could the aid of inspiration have furnished language so 
guarded, conduct so pure, as to have silenced the animadver- 
sions, or restrained the anathemas, of that tribunal, which was 
sitting, with judgment prepense, upon the doctrines which 
might be uttered ? No. The decisions had been formed, and 
Omnipotence alone could have averted the doom. Should they 
suffer the present crisis to pass, without stamping those heretics 
with the brand of ''defection in principle, and degeneracy in 
practice,'' the whole of that beautiful fabric, which had cost so 
much time and such severe trials to rear up, would be pros- 
trated, and all the enchanted castles of Orthodox magic would 
be buried under its ruins. Nulla Jides servanda hereticis'— -no 
faith is to be kept with heretics — was the watch-word, and the 
archbishop, and every whipster, down to the lowest Orthodox 
guard, was expected to join in the chorus. 

Merciful Father!!! when I look back to that day, and the 
scenes pass in succession before my *' mind's eye" — when my 
imagination presents the distorted and frightful appearance of 
fury and malignity, that scowled upon the convulsed features 



30 

of Elisha Bates, and some of his infuriate followers, I am 
tempted to exclaim, in the language of the disgusted poet — 

" In the woods, the leopard knows his kind, 
The tiger preys not on the tiger breed, 
Man, only, is the common foe of man," 

and, for the moment, I am induced to abjure my species. Mj 
mind sinks below the brute creation, and I almost deprecate 
the doom that made me man. But, thanks to the heavenly Fa- 
ther, these feelings are but transient, and the changing scene 
presents a man, arrayed in those attributes, the possession of 
which was given to us to proclaim the grand design of our 
Maker. I see the venerable man, whose mild and gentle deport- 
ment is calculated to diffuse love, concord, and brotherly affec- 
tion amongst all around him, but against whom, and whose 
opinions, all this rage and fury are excited, risina;, with all the 
humility of a Christian, but with the dignity and irresistible ener- 
gy of conscious integrity, wielding the weapons of reason, to 
inculcate the lessons of truth, calm in the midst of the storm, 
unagitated by the taunts and abuse heaped upon his gray and 
venerable head, disdaining the low condescension of his abu- 
sers, and seeming, by his every look, and every gesture, to be 
mentally exclaiming, '* Father, forgive them, for ti.jy know not 
what they do." Then, again, I become satisfied with ray con- 
dition, and look forward to the bright, the glorious day, when, 
by the irresistible influence of truth, the whole world will be 
induced to shake off* the shackles of superstition, bigotry, and 
intolerance, and proclaim the triumph of free principles, and 
sound, unsophisticated religion. 

Can that sort of religion, which is afraid of resting upon its 
own intrinsic merit and reasonableness, be calculated to ad- 
vance the interest of mankind, or promote the welfare of those 
who embrace it.^ Why divide the human family into classes, 
and give to one the power to think and act for the other, and 
bind one half to receive the conclusions of the other on trust ? 
It is an unjust requisition, and can never be submitted to, ex- 
cept by those whose minds are so hebetated by the dull and 
somniferous discourses of interested impostors, as to be inca- 
pable of exercising as much energy as belongs to the more de- 
graded portion of the creation. This imposition has long been 
practised. It was first introduced by those who sought to ad- 
vance their own interests, and secure their own dignity, at the 
expense of the ignorant and the credulous. But the spirit of 
inquiry, and the dissemination of knowledge, which are now 
progressing throughout the civilized world, must, at no distant 
day, dispel the imposition, and put down the impostors. Go- 
vernmental aid, which for a long time sustained the fraud, has 
ceased in this enlightened hemisphere to extend its support, 
and we are led by recent indications to conclude, that religious, 



31 

as well as political shackles, are daily losing their influence on 
the human mind. Auspicious omen ! Let tyrants and impos- 
tors tremble. Their days are numbered, and the succeeding 
generation will see (I most ardently hope) the whole fraternity 
consigned to the tomb " of all the Capulets." 

But again; we are assailed with the argument of the neces- 
sity of religious conformity, and reminded, that in the days of 
governmental interference, the Society did establish a religious 
test, by which all its members were pledged to maintain certain 
tenets, to entitle them to continue within the pale of the church. 
Admit, for the moment, the existence of the fact, and that in 
that confession of faith, which was most reluctantly elicited, 
cautiously submitted, and obviously designed to evade the per- 
secutions to which the Society at that day was exposed from 
the iron hand of authority, nothing can be found, which can, by 
any other than casuistical construction, justify the intolerant 
course that is now in operation, by my late dogmatical and Or- 
thodox friends — for even the archbishop himself has said, *' if 
an attempt should be made to force an investigation of the dis- 
ownments, &c., I suppose that much ambiguity will, if possi- 
ble, be throvvn over the terms, Divinity of Christ, &c. It may 
be rendered, in sceptical distinctions, almost an inexplicable 
subject." No doubt, however, could exist in his mind, in rela- 
tion to the true and genuine construction of the terms, accord- 
ing to Orthodox logic. Admitted. But can Orthodox logic 
compel every member of the Society to submit, nolens volens^ 
to the Orthodox version ? Assuredly not. 

I had always understood, that the very foundation of the 
Quaker system consisted in perfect liberty and freedom in all 
matters of a spiritual nature; and in glancing over the pages of 
some of the primitive Friends, I found this principle plainly re- 
cognised, and sturdily insisted on ; but these were pages acci- 
dentally perused, and never referred to in my instructions. But 
when I opened the Book of Discipline, and found the following 
lines staring me in the face, what must have been my opinion of 
the pursuit in which I was unhappily engaged ? '' Liberty of 
conscience being the common right of all men, and particularly 
essential to the well being of religious societies, we hold it to 
be indispensably incumbent on us to maintain it inviolable 
among ourselves." 

How excellent the precept; how abominable the practice of 
those, who, with such precepts opposing it, are exercising a de- 
gree of religious intolerance, that the veriest bigot of papal au- 
thority vvould blush to practise. What is the inevitable ten- 
dency of a code of religious conformity, but to make hypocrites 
and fools? Is it the character of human beings to come to pre- 
cisely the same conclusions on the same subject? Why then 
practise the shameful disingenuity of subscribing a test, the 



32 

very character of which cuts off the advantages of future iiir- 
provement, and binds man down to the practice of deception — 
nay, to the dictation of his superiors. 

"Men cannot be brethren, and consequently cannot be so* 
cial creatures, while one part reprove the other for the opinions 
they have formed, and think themselves, on account of this 
imaginary difference, to be separated and divided from each 
other, as far as heaven is distant from hell. No one can judge 
the conscience, but God alone. He who affirms that man ought 
to believe this or that doctrine, often renders himself guilty of 
injustice, and always of temerity.'' 

"The first genius of the universe, although inflamed with 
the most ardent love of truth, might embrace a religious error, 
and think himself bound by his conscience to defend it. Who 
is the audacious mortal, that pretends to have been able to cal- 
culate all the lights and shades, which might have intervened 
between the most simple or the most sublime minds } and who 
dares to say — all ought to believe like me." "Those actions 
alone, which are manifestly contrary to the universal laws of 
morality, are submitted to the inspection of men, and the sen- 
tence of society. The vicious, the base, the wicked, even when 
they profess the true faith, are the enemies of humanity. The 
virtuous, the good, the benevolent, even while their faith is erro- 
neous, are the friends and the benefactors of mankind." If 
your religion be of God, it is impious to believe that it should 
require a test. If your worship be conformable to religion, re- 
ligion will furnish all the aids necessary for its vindication, and 
its authority. It is only because it is artificial and human, that 
it requires the inauspicious interference of persecution and re- 
straint. 

There was a day, when the Society of Friends could boast of 
their unity and their love, of their forbearance and their tole- 
rance. Alas ! that day is past, and the love of power, and 
desire of distinction, on the part of a few factious, religious de- 
magogues, have poisoned one of the happiest institutions that 
the world had ever witnessed. Yet, the day of retribution is 
fast approaching, when those demagogues will be summoned to 
the bar of reason, to give an account of their misdeeds. The 
mists of error are gradually dissipating, and a glorious day of 
general emancipation from despotism will arise. Then will the 
Society settle down upon its primitive basis, and recognise no 
authority, but that of the truth within, which is of God. It is 
the fermentation that divests the liquor of its impurities; it is 
the hurricane that purifies the atmosphere, and restores the 
sickly system to health. 

To return to the scenes of the day. After this venerable old 
man had finished a sermon, which, from its character, was cal- 
culated to rivet attention, and captivate and enlighten an un- 



33 

biassed auditory, such was the anxiety to utter the preconcert- 
ed denunciations, that it required an exercise of courtesy on the 
part of the Orthodox champions, to settle the point of privilege ; 
for Elisha Bates and Anna Braithwaite rose at the same mo- 
ment — whether in obedience to Divine call or not, is not for me 
to say — though it was evident there were many who did not be- 
lieve that it was. But the floor being yielded, Elisha, after a 
long, and apparently afflicting eiFort, with a countenance beam- 
ing — with intelligence and benignity, should I say ? — no; with 
venom and fury, commenced a denunciation, so violent, so 
boisterous, so unlike the meek and christian manner of the 
person against whom he was uttering his invectives, that I am 
well persuaded, that nothing but the strongest exercise of 
christian charity, could have persuaded his warmest adherents 
that he was under the influence of Divine illumination. Well 
assured am 1, that if any present were hesitating about their 
future course, the evidences then exhibited, must have pro- 
duced an immediate decision. For my own part, I could never 
entertain doubts, but if I had, those doubts must have been in- 
stantaneously removed. 

Whence can this man derive his principles of Christianity? 
Whence this inveterate malice against all who differ from him 
in creeds? We see him exercising the most evangelical cha- 
rity towards some, the impurity of whose lives and conduct 
cannot but be obvious to all with whom they associate; whose 
total neglect of every honourable principle, even of truth itself, 
has become proverbial — but they are Orthodox. And yet, 
against this venerable and pious old man, whose moral charac- 
ter is without blemish or reproach, is he unceasingly uttering 
vollies of abuse, and envious vituperation. Alas! there must 
be some secret sting goading him on. May not the contrast he 
affords to his own character be too deeply felt, or some former 
chastisements for unsoundness of principle be too carefully 
treasured up? Is it, that upon the subject of prize goods and 
slavery, all could not agree? or may it not be that there is 

" A daily beauty in his life, that makes Ehsha ugly?" 

Something worse than christian charity, must produce this 
course; but 

" AVhat private griefs he has, alas! I know not." 

Elisha having finished his " Speech," if it even deserves 
that name, was followed by his friend Anna Braithwaite, 
whose zeal was equal, though her lungs were not, to her as- 
sociate. I, like others, could not distinctly understand all she 
said; but it was evident, that although they boast so much of 
their numerical strength, if their numbers were greatest, their 
5 



34 

hearers were not most delighted — for a more manifest change 
of feeling on the part of the disinterested auditory was never 
exhibited. This may probably account for the precipitate dis- 
solution of the meeting, at the moment, when age and wisdom 
— yea, and persecution, claimed respect ; and a disappointed 
audience was reluctantly forced to submit to Orthodox mis- 
rule. Charges of a character supposed to be calculated to 
produce an effect, the most calamitous to their object, and 
against which the common courtesy of a civil tribunal would 
have indulged a defence, were attempted to be established by 
a finesse, which a county court lawyer would have disdained 
to use. But the effect was inconceivable, and the suppression 
of the defence operated to produce a conviction, which the 
most forcible denials, and incontrovertible testimony, would 
have been inadequate to supply. 

The meeting being thus ended, the evacuation of the meet- 
ing house became the immediate concern. The people must 
be brought into the habit of giving way to the door-keepers, 
and any inattention to this matter at one time, might operate 
prejudicially at another, and therefore it was, that the doors 
must be closed, and preparation for the evening meeting must 
be made. In relation to this measure, and its conformity to 
usage, I could say nothing; but I was informed by my patrons, 
that the course was justifiable upon precedent, and must not 
be departed from ; the precedent was controverted, and the 
trial was severe. 

At the first agitation of this question, I was standing at a 
distant part of the meeting house, in the women's apartment, 
and I saw Elisha Bates, in a state of extreme agitation, roar- 
ing out to the people to depart, and leave the meeting house 
in the care of the agent; at that moment I caught his eye, when 
he immediately beckoned me to come to him. I saw his ex- 
alted situation, and I approached with awe; he then, with a voice 
almost inarticulate, requested me to come up, and direct the 
people to disperse. I felt, the delicacy of my situation, and 
said to him several times, be patient, the crowd will disperse 
after awhile, give time for the feelings to subside. 

Whilst in this situation, so entirely unexpected to me, al- 
though called on upon so many occasions, I was forcibly re- 
minded of a passage I had somewhere read in an old play, (I 
think it is the Padlock, for I have it not by me,) where a poor 
old servant, Mungo by name, who never saw one moment's 
respite from labour, in a state of anguish at his incessant 
toils, exclaimed, "Whate'er's to be done, poor Mungo, he must 
run; Mungo here, Mungo dere, Mungo ebery where — dear 
heart, dear heart, me wish to de Lord me was dead." 

The people finding that I had mounted the rostrum, gathered 
around me, and as I apprehended it might be expected that I 



35 

would make a speech, I determined to remove the impres- 
sion, and as modestly as I could, (perhaps too much so for my 
patrons,) assured the crowd, that such was not my intention, 
but endeavoured to prevail on them to disperse, assuring them 
that the house would be again opened at the usual hour, for 
all to enter who might desire to do so. 

Multifarious as my employments had been, I certainly felt 
myself out of my element upon that occasion, and after suffer- 
ing some severe taunts, I, with the best grace I could assume, 
retreated from my situation, upon the first opportunity that 
presented itself, not considering my elevation the most envia- 
ble, as related to myself, or the most proper, as related to my 
patrons. I had read somewhere, that '^ fools who came to 
scoff, remained to pray," but I had never read that fools who 
came to pray, remained to scold, and I therefore, very uncere- 
moniously departed, after exhibiting to the world, most re- 
luctantly, in my own person, a spectacle, to which history 
does not, in all probability, afford a parallel. But my destiny 
was leading me to a still higher distinction. 

The scenes of the afternoon were believed to present no evi- 
dences, of a more auspicious character, than those of the fore- 
noon. Indeed, it was doubted, if there was not increasing 
confidence spreading in the opposition ranks, to resist which, 
every effort of Orthodox strength and ingenuity should be 
brought to bear. It had long since been deliberated, how far 
an injunction to stay resistance to the dictum of authority 
would succeed^ but no precedent to justify such an applica- 
tion, in analogous cases, (if any such could be found,) having 
been established, this measure was abandoned, and my best 
resources were ransacked to find out an adequate substitute. 
One had been previously suggested, but its applicability to 
previously existing circumstances, was not perceived; it was 
therefore kept in recollection, to be applied to, wheiife^er an 
emergency should arise, which should seem imperiously to 
require it. 

The title papers, conveying the property, the use of which 
had become the bone of contention, were searched up, and di- 
ligently perused ; the terms in the conveyances examined with 
an eye of scrutiny, and every other circumstance, having a 
bearing upon the controversy, laboriously examined. The 
terms in the deeds were found too comprehensive and inclu- 
sive, but technical construction, aided by a little casuistry, 
seemed to supply the want of, (what the Orthodox called,) 
scrupulous attention to the evident designs of the original 
grantors; and the grant to the grantees, therein named, of 
certain property, for the benefit and use of the Society of , 
Friends, constituting the Ohio Yearly Meeting, would, it was 
hoped, confer upon fefeem, in ^vhom so much confidence was 



36 

reposed, the right to decide, who it was that should partake 
of that benefit and use; and hence, the authority was derived 
by the trustees to exercise the supreme control over that 
property which was committed to their care. All the gran- 
tees present, were known to be unquestionable in faith, and 
they being a majority, would have the right to control the 
use. 

From this view, then, arose the notice of prohibition, which 
was designed to spread alarm in the opposition ranks. To de- 
cide definitively upon this measure, it was deemed necessary 
to institute a severe inquiry; and then, for the first time, was 
I honoured with a seat in a select meeting of authorized reli- 
gious agents, in the meeting house in Mount Pleasant. 

Yes, reader, in the meeting house in Mount Pleasant, with 
closed doors — not inattentive, at the same time, to the possi- 
ble impertinent curiosity of eves-droppers. In this convoca- 
tion, this measure of doubtful effect, and much more doubtful 
authority, was adopted, riemine contradicente^ and it became 
my duty instanter, to draw up such a paper, as was then agreed 
on, with a keen eye to the phraseology, which, from its ques- 
tionable authority, became more necessary. This paper was 
drawn on Sunday, the 7th of September, 1828, and left by 
me with Elisha Bates,(the style having been accommodated to 
the Society from which it emanated,) at his printing-office, at 
half past eleven o'clock at night. Its appearance in the world, 
with the signatures subjoined, (not by me,) at an early hour 
next morning, must demonstrate the untiring industry and 
vigilance of a persecuting sect. 

Here follows the notice. 

We the undersigned, grantees of Henry Beeson and Mary 
Beeson, for the benefit and use of the Society of Friends, con- 
stitutijif the Ohio Yearly Meeting, of a parcel of land, con- 
taining f^^ty-f our square perches, by deed bearing date the 5th 
day of the 9th month, 1817, upon which said land the Ohio 
Yearly meeting house now stands, for divers good causes and 
reasons,us thereunto moving, and to avoid apprehended injury 
to the same, feeling ourselves constrained to take such mea- 
sures as will enable us faithfully to execute the trust in us 

reposed, do hereby forewarn and prohibit thee, , 

from entering, or, if having entered, from remaining in the 
said meeting house, in the town of Mount Pleasant, or on 
the appurtenances, on this day, or any other day on which the 
Yearly Meeting of Ohio shall be in session, during the present 
Yearly Meeting. And we do hereby notify thee, that if thou 
fail to obey this notice and prohibition, we shall consider thee 
as an intruder, disturbing the religious duties of the said 
meeting, and a trespasser upon the property which we control, 



37 

by virtue of our authority, as grantees, as aforesaid, and shall 
proceed to our remedy, by appeal to the civil tribunals of the 
State of Ohio. 

(Signed) Jonathan Taylor, 

Isaac Parker, 
James Kinsey. 
Mount Pleasant, 
8th day of 9th month, 1828. 

This notice, together with the guards to be stationed at the 
different doors, were now considered the remaining securities 
against intrusion, no overt act having been previously com- 
mitted, to justify an application to the civil authority for that 
relief, the obtention of which would, it was believed, have 
kept off any future intrusions, trespasses, or riots. 

During the time that these events were passing, it became 
my required duty, to be sometimes at the meeting house, to 
receive communications, and furnish instructions ; and at 
other times at home, held in readiness to move at a moment's 
warning. 

Of the scenes of the succeeding day, viz. Monday, 8th of 
September, to which it was my happiness not to be a witness, 
and which have already been the subject of one judicial in- 
vestigation, and are destined to be the subject of another, or 
more, I can have nothing to say. 

Their consequences claimed my attention at Steubeifville on 
the Thursday following, that being the day appointed to enter 
on the trial, for the prosecutions which grew out of the cir- 
cumstances of the 8th; but for reasons appearing, the trial was 
postponed until the 15th of the next month, with permission 
to take the depositions of distant witnesses, to be read in evi- 
dence. A notice to that effect was then given by the Ortho- 
dox Society, and by the kind solicitation of my then kind friend 
Elisha Bates, my house was obtained as the theatre of busi- 
ness. The motives for such a request, I am at a loss to con- 
jecture ; unless it should have been, that my previous unre- 
mitted assiduity had inspired him with confidence in my 
zeal, and co-operation in all, and every way, that might be 
required. For five days, were my family, my house, and my- 
self, incommoded almost beyond endurance ; nor did the 
multitude go off, and leave the house like the ''Syrian Camp," 
*'as it was" — for "I think, without exception, it was the dir- 
tiest house I ever saw," not excepting the Yearly meeting 
house, after the Yearly Meeting, when taken possession of 
in the way I shall hereafter describe. 

Every day convinced me, more and more strongly, of the 
various devices, and pitiful subterfuges, that were resorted to, 
to enlist public feeling and indignation against those, whose 



38 



prostration I was incessantly called on to devise measures 
to effect. I had not, as I have stated, been present at the 
dreadful scenes which had occurred on Monday, but dreadful 
as they were, their character, (as related to the Hicksites,) 
had been magnified in such a way, as to create a temporary 
suspicion, that a total disregard for all the tenets and prin- 
ciples of the Society had been exhibited and practised by 
them; and that, although in quest of their unquestionable 
rights, they nevertheless had carried their measures to such 
unjustifiable lengths, as to make them deservedly obnoxious 
to public reprobation, judicial interference, and consequent 
punishment. Among other strange and astonishing accounts, 
I was told, that such had been their entire disregard of every 
principle of justice, decency, and decorum, that even the 
gray hairs and peaceable character of Jonathan Taylor, could 
not exempt him from the most outrageous violence, and that 
he had received an injury in the contest, which, it could not 
be doubted, would put a speedy end to his useful existence. 
Only the day before the approaching trial, at Steuben ville, I 
was informed that his life was despaired of — judge then, what 
must have been my astonishment, to behold this same old man 
so suddenly restored to vigour and exertion, as to be amongst 
the anxious and zm|?05mg assemblage of Orthodox witnesses, 
and spectators, who had repaired to Steubenville on that im- 
portant occasion. 

I had often heard, that zeal in a good cause would work 
surprising miracles, but I had never before believed, that it 
could bring the dead to life, or restore decrepitude and dis- 
ease to vigour and exertion. And for the first time in my 
life, I then saw illustrated — and that in the person of Jona- 
than Taylor, what ingenious theorists had long declared the 
possibility of, the complete control of mind over matter. 

An immediate trial was craved, and expected, to accom- 
plish which, the affected kindness of Benjamin W. I.add had 
been exercised, in procuring a blank subpoena, to be tendered 
to the opposite party, to induce them to believe that every 
fair and equitable provision had been made to enable them 
to sustain their defence, if any they had to make; but too ob- 
viously discoverable, to be designed as an insidious effort to 
precipitate a trial, which, on the part of those who had made 
no previous preparation, could not have been entered upon, 
without evident disadvantage, and consequent injury and de- 
feat; and although every offer was made, that should seem to 
convey the idea of perfect fairness, the veil was too fiimsy to 
conceal the real design, and a continuance of the cause was, 
as I have said, the deprecated consequence. 

To prepare for the appointed trial, now became the object 
of primary importance, and much reliance was placed on the 



39 

disclosures which distant witnesses were to make. I had heard 
much of one Samuel Bettle : he had been represented as a 
man of great wealth and influence, and in possession of ex- 
tensive knowledge upon all subjects; but more particularly 
acquainted with all the laws, usages, and doctrines of the So- 
ciety, and intimately conversant with the various causes and 
consequences which had produced, and flowed from, the 
schisms of the contending parties ; and from him emphati- 
cally, was expected, an able development, not only of the 
scenes of the day, which had given rise to the prosecutions, 
but of the rights and pretensions of the parties to this contest; 
indeed, he was represented as a host of himself, against whose 
weight and influence, the opposing party would scarcely dare 
to raise their diminutive heads. His preparation, (for he had 
prepared his deposition,) seemed to indicate a total subversion 
of opposing testimony, and I anxiously awaited the exhibition 
of those disclosures, of which I had heard such extravagant 
accounts. They were lengthy, circumstantial, and I began to 
think tedious. I thought I saw in them but little matter, and 
I was sure I saw no mind, although I can freely declare, that 
up to this time, I had never beheld a man who appeared to be 
upon better terms with himself — but, unhappily for him, there 
was yet more to do. 

Fortunately for mankind, a custom has been long intro- 
duced, whereby more may be elicited than is desired to be 
said, and the ingenuity of an ingenious and wily counsel is 
occasionally exercised, in ferreting out disclosures, which, 
however unwillingly they may come, are unavoidably extract- 
ed; and it was this gentleman's misfortune, to be in the hands 
of a master-workman. The gentleman from St. Clairsville, 
(Mr. Kennon,) who had been employed by the prosecuted party, 
to sustain their cause, was not to be satisfied with a deposi- 
tion which looked only on one side; and poor Samuel found, 
to his great discomfiture, that it had to pass through a cru- 
cible, which was destined, not only to divest his statements 
of all their dross, but to extract facts, which, it not being his 
wish, it assuredly could not be his duty, to state. Another 
trial, not less severe, was at hand; for I found then for the first 
time, that there was an eye upon him out of doors, at a win- 
dow, which seemed to say '' have a care," and then his agony 
increased. I witnessed his travail at first, with surprise, and 
at last with a conviction, that until then I had been kept an 
entire stranger to the appalling fact, that though the Orthodox 
were powerful here, they were comparatively powerless in 
the^ country whence this witness came: a circumstance, 
which, if my good friends had not studiously concealed, they 
certainly had never apprized me of. Indeed, it is not to be 
wondered at, that I was ignorant of that fact, as I only heard 



40 

ex-parte statements, which, to my sorrow I say, camiot be 
relied on. The person at the window, to whom I allude, 
whose presence seemed to impose so much restraint upon this 
witness, was no other than M. T. C. Gould, the Stenogra- 
pher, from Philadelphia. Seeing for the first time this gen- 
tleman engaged in a business, to which his situation was to- 
tally unsuited, I took occasion to say, that having no particular 
control over the house at that time, I could only remark, that 
for myself, I should be pleased to see him in a more comfort- 
able situation. This hint, I believe, furnished that gentleman 
with rather more comfort, for it was followed up some time 
afterwards, (I thought rather unwillingly,) by Benjamin W. 
Ladd, who I am sure, from his elevated situation, thought he 
had a better right than myself to extend the courtesy. 

Reader, you must bear in mind that I had not been long 
initiated, and my access to information was only from one 
side. You must, therefore, not be surprised at my astonish- 
ment, at perceiving the timidity evinced by this redoubtable 
champion of Orthodoxy, whenever he saw the stenographer 
taking down his responses. He, who had at first looked defi- 
ance at the foe, had now become hesitating, embarrassed, and 
chapfaln, and I perceived to my astonishment, after a five 
hours' travail, that this mountain in labour had scarcely 
brought forth a mouse. From the other witnesses I expected 
less, and was therefore not so much chagrined, until it came 
to the unfortunate lot of one Josiah Tatum, to give an account 
of the numbers which composed the meeting of which he was 
clerk. Here then was presented a state of things, which seemed 
strongly to indicate the necessity of giving up the distant wit- 
nesses from the East, and so, I suppose, thought my patrons, 
for here the pursuit, as far as related to them, ended. The 
regulars having discharged their fires, and retreated, the 
militia from other parts merely presented their arms in war- 
like attitude, and at the signal given, covered the retreat. 

During these scenes, which lasted five days and nights, and 
which occurred in very unfavourable weather, my house was 
exposed to all who might be drawn thither, by interest, or 
curiosity; and such was the crowd that frequently flocked 
around, and tarried, that no opportunity was afforded to my 
family, during a part of the time, to perform their domestic 
duties, until after 1 1 o'clock at night; and the house was left 
in a situation, of which, none but those who are acquainted 
with its location, and the condition of our streets, can form 
an adequate idea ; a condition, one would think, rather in- 
auspicious to study, and to enable me to prepare myself upon 
the various topics that had been submitted for my considera- 
tion. 

My good friends, as in duty bound, repaired, I suppose, to 



41 

the^weighty concerns of their weighty meeting, and left me 
to the enjoyment of the ecstatic pleasure of removing the 
mud, Sec. occasioned by their kind contrivance, expecting, no 
doubt, it would be brought into the general account, at which 
time I would surely be liberally rewarded. 

Not long after the breaking up of the Yearly Meeting, 
(Elisha Bates says about one week had elapsed, and perhaps 
this may be true) a caucus was convened at the house of Elisha, 
to take into consideration the expediency of adopting various 
measures, which were deemed necessary to be attended to. 
Among others, the mode and expediency of getting possession 
of the Yearly Meeting house, was the object of the fondest 
care. It was believed, that a continued acquiescence in ad- 
verse possession, might not only tend to strengthen the claims 
of the adverse party, but might be construed into a virtual 
abandonment of that right, which was contended to be un- 
questionable. Nevertheless, as that point had not yet been 
settled by judicial proceedings, the best possible way to ac- 
complish an object, upon the accomplishment of which every 
heart was fixed, and every mind seemed to be inflexibly re- 
solved, was not deemed unworthy of grave consideration. 
And here, before I enter upon the actual state of facts, it will 
be proper to give the statement thereafter made by Elisha in 
his able periodical work, dated , so entirely 

at variance with the true state of the case, as I shall presently 
show, that the reader must judge of my astonishment, if the 
time had not passed by, when I could be expected to be asto- 
nished at any thing he could say or publish. 

Elisha says, and I copy him literally, 

"I think it was on Sixth-day after the riot, the Hicksites 
closed their meeting, and went off, and left the house like the 
Syrian Camp, ' as it was.' 

** About one week elapsed after the meeting, without our 
knowing whether it was claimed to be held by any person or 
not. Our meetings in course occurred, no person opened the 
house, or informed usof any new regulations pretended to have 
been adopted. The trustees, with parts of two committees from 
the meeting for sufferings, which had been appointed the year 
before, one to make certain repairs to the property, and the 
other to have the care of it, went to the house, found it slightly 
closed, some of the windows totally shattered, and one of 
them with nearly the whole of the sash knocked out. The 
Friend charged with the keeping of the house, went in, and 
opened several of the doors, &c. That commonly used for 
the entrance, had the lock which had been put on it before the 
Yearly Meeting taken off, and another put on, but so unadapted 
to the place that it jutted over the door nearly or quite two 
inches. I think, without exception, it was the dirtiest house 
6 



42 

I ever saw.'* Jknd Elisha must have for.e^otten my house, at the 
closing of the depositions lately spoken of. " The windows, 
stairs, and partition, were a good deal broken." 

To the caucus spoken of, I was summoned by a special mes- 
senger, and required to give the subject my best attention. It 
was inquired, how far the knowledge of the fact, that an ad- 
verse possession was claimed by the opposite party, would 
present legal difficulties. The Orthodox assumed the fact, 
of the title being in them, by operation of the conveyance, as 
the trustees must be considered the sole judges of the uses; 
and those trustees who were present, declared their delibe- 
rate determination to hold the property, to the exclusion of all 
who were, or hereafter might be, excommunicated, by the 
established usages of Orthodox discipline; and that if any pos- 
session was pretended, or claim set up, by the opposing party, 
it could be considered nothing more than a scrambling pos- 
session, and even of that claim some of them professed not to 
be apprized. Here a difficulty presented itself, which seemed 
to produce an unhappy effect for a moment. One of the party, 
more officious than wise, went onto state, that he was inform- 
ed of the Hicksites' Yearly Meeting, as he termed it, having 
appointed a committee to superintend and take charge of the 
house. This communication, however, for reasons then ap- 
pearing, was stifled as quickly as possible, and measures were 
immediately taken to destroy its effects, if any it deserved to 
have. Every one else professed to have no previous knowledge 
of the fact, and it was determined to stifle that disclosure, by 
preventing the person who made it, from being present at the 
contemplated entry, and he forthwith was informed, that it 
was desired that he should be absent. For my own part, I did 
not consider this matter material, although my patrons evi- 
dently did, from their previous remarks; but feeling a great 
responsibility resting upon me, I resolved upon all the cau- 
tion which the case might possibly require. I had stated 
what my views upon the subject were, to do which I had to 
use some technical terms, which not being understoodj by 
all, required explanation. The plan of getting into the 
meeting house was resolved on, and tools and necessary im- 
plements to open the way, were sent for, obtained, and carried 
along with us. 

I am thus circumstantial, to show that the account given by 
Elisha Bates is totally incorrect, and that the circumstances 
were of such a character, that he must have known at the time 
he was writing, that it was incorrect. The absence of the 
officious informer, was a matter spoken of on our return, and 
seeing that he had been somewhat dissatisfied, at the request- 
ed absence, I stated that I would inform him the reason when 
we next met, which was accordingly done on the first inter- 



43 

view. It is true, that entrance was obtained without violence; 
but it is equally true, that it was decided to use force, if it 
should be found necessary. It turns out that there never had 
been any design to exclude them. But the caucus was not yet 
dissolved — another matter was presented, on our return to 
Elisha Bates's, for investigation, which must not be omitted. 

The Monthly Meeting to be held at Short Creek was fast 
approaching; some of the rioters had not been arrested, and 
this was expected to furnish an opportunity, not only to ac- 
complish that object, but to present a state of things, which 
would afford additional grounds for further prosecutions ; the 
rebellious spirit, as it was termed, of the adverse party was 
still unsubdued, and it was not doubted that it would again 
show itself upon that occasion; and nothing but the arm of 
the civil authority, could secure them from a state of things, 
similar to the one exhibited at the Yearly Meeting that had 
just passed by. 

To secure such aid as would be effectual, it was necessary 
to resort to persons who should be ascertained to be friendly 
to the Orthodox cause. The magistrate of the town was still 
indisposed; and, moreover, his effectual aid could not be relied 
on, because, as I have before stated, he was believed to be un- 
sound in religious principles, (as it was termed,) and more 
recent accounts had now rendered certain the fact, of total 
adherence on the part of the town constable to the opposite 
cause. Who then could be obtained to effect the object.^ was 
the anxious inquiry. By this time a strong suspicion seemed 
to have arisen in the minds of the Orthodox, that their prin- 
ciples, and the course they were pursuing, were not recognised 
by the community as consistent with just and equitable con- 
duct, and it was strongly suspected, that co-operation in th<i 
accomplishment of their aims, was not so easily attainable, as 
at first it was professed to be believed, and probably was be- 
lieved by them. Indeed, it is certain, that many who had 
at first only entertained doubts, as to the propriety of the pro- 
ceedings of the Orthodox party, had now become convinced 
of their oppressive and unchristian character. Upon diligent 
inquiry, however, it was concluded, that one, or possibly two 
justices, not many miles off, could be found, whose opinions 
were in unison with their riches; and it was i*esolvcd that they 
should be sought and sifted, and if found to answer, should 
be procured to act. Accordingly, a person, David Updegraff, 
was selected to enter on this duty, without loss of time,and with 
the required caution. It was arranged, th-at the magistrate 
was not to make his appearance at the meeting house, but 
was to be stationed at Doctor James Parker's, less than one 
quarter of a mile distant, to be called on, or not, as occasion 



44 

might justify. I, who lived only a short distance off, was re- 
quired to hold myself in readiness to repair to the theatre, 
whenever called on, and an express was sent to me on the 
day, announcing that my services would probably be required, 
and it would therefore be expected that I would remain at 
home, where a horse would be furnished for my immediate 
transportation, if required. At the same caucus it was in- 
quired, who would undertake the embassy for the constable, 
to execute the remaining process on those who had been pro- 
secuted for riot at the Yearly Meeting? Here again, some 
difficulty presented itself; it was a long ride to Steuben- 
ville, and several who were proposed, professed to have a great 
deal to attend to, in consequence of the repeated interruptions 
of their domestic pursuits — each appeared to be unwilling that 
the duty should devolve on him. They appeared, notwith- 
standing their zeal, to think that some attention should be be- 
stowed on their own immediate interest, and although no one 
seemed tired of persecuting others, each seemed tired of the 
frequent claims upon his own time. However, the thing was 
to be done, and a compliance was obtained from one or two 
of the members. The embassy was executed, as there is rea- 
son to know: as on that day the constable appeared at meeting 
in a Quaker dress, and executed a process on one of the riot- 
ers, who was then peaceably attending to his religious duties. 
But the place, or the occasion, were not permitted to impose 
a barrier against the offended laws, which had been invoked 
to the aid of the offended Orthodox. There seemed to be 
a great luxury in carving out plans for annoying and harassing 
all who denied their principles, and contemned their authori- 
ty; as well as an eager desire to call in the aid of the law to 
strengthen the prerogative. 

They believed, that in the course they were pursuing, the 
effect of the penal la\vs, to which they were so eager to resort, 
would not be confined to the narrow bounds which the legis- 
lature designed in their enactment; but that the very inter- 
vention of the civil authority, would have a tendency to throw 
a shade over the characters of all, whom, by their devices, 
they desired to make obnoxious to their influence. 

And here, should it be asked, how a man professing an aver- 
sion to such principles, could aid in devising means for their 
execution.^ I reply, that I am a lawyer, and that profession in 
this, as in a thousand other instances, devolved upon me the 
necessity, (however painful,) of obeying its duties. In no in- 
stance, I do solemnly affirm, was I called on to point out the 
best, the most honoura])le, and christian course to be pursued, 
but simply the best method, and most apt contrivances, and 
legal measures, to effect their own settled and inflexible de- 
terminations; and it will be well remembered by some of the 



45 

party, that I more than once remarked upon the peculiar si- 
tuation in which I was placed. They^ however, profess to be 
guided by divine illumination, and it was no doubt considered 
by them presumption, for me to oppose my dim lights of 
science and justice, to gifts so incomparably their superior. 
Whether or not, they were actuated and controlled in the way 
they professed, the world will judge. Certain it is, I think, 
that if they were conscientious, the lesson is an awful one, as 
it serves to show the fallacies and errors *' that nature is heir 
to. 

The meeting passed over without that interruption which 
was anticipated, (ajid might I not add, desired,) and after 
waiting as required, in fearful expectation of a summons, I 
found that my further services in relation to that business 
were not required. 

Here let us turn for awhile from these revolting scenes, 
and inquire what madness and frenzy can have seized upon 
the minds of those, who are engaged, with an assiduity that 
never tires, in a series of persecutions and proscriptions which 
can have no other tendency, but to disgust the world, and call 
down upon themselves the displeasure of the Deity? What 
object can they have, in creating enemies amongst those, who 
would willingly have lived with them upon terms of kindness 
' and affection; yea, in brotherly love? 

Whence could they have acquired their ideas of Christianity? 
Is their conduct in accordance with the principles of their 
divine type and example, about the nature of whose divinity 
they have raised those schisms and contentions? To me it 
seems far otherwise; and that the lust of power, and love of 
domination and distinction, have poisoned all those sources 
of charity and Christianity which they profess to be so deeply 
concerned to defecate and purify. 

'* The universal God of nature, the Saviour of mankind, in 
whom dwelt the fountain of all light, v^^ho came to pluck the 
world from eternal darkness, expired upon across, the scoff of 
infidel scorn, and his blessed Apostles followed him in the 
train of martyrs. When he came in the flesh, he might have 
come like the Mahometan prophet, as a powerful sovereign, 
and propagated that religion with an unconquerable sword, 
which even now, after the lapse of ages, is but slowly moving 
under the influence of reason, over the face of the earth. But 
such a process would have been inconsistent with his mis- 
sion, which was to confound the pride, and to establish the 
universal rights of men: he came, therefore, in that lowly state 
which is represented in the Gospel, and preached his conso- 
lations to the poor. 

When the foundation of this religion was discovered to be 
invulnerable and immortal, we find political power taking the 



46 

church into partnership. Thus began the corruptions of religion 
and civil power, and hand in hand together, what havoc have 
they not made in the world, ruling by ignorance and the persecu- 
tion oftruth." To illustrate further, the folly and wickedness of the 
course pursued by the Orthodox, may I not invoke the aid of 
that towering genius, and enlightened christian, of whom it was 
said, 

** He passed the bounds of flaming space, 
Where angels treml)le as they gaze, 
He saw, till blasted with excess of light, 
He closed his eyes in endless night.'' 

But it was the light of the body only that was extinguished; 
"the celestial light shone inward," and enabled him to justify 
the ways of God to man. He says — 

** To the pure all things are pure, not only meats and drink, 
but all kind of knowledge, whether good or evil; the knowledge 
cannot be defiled, nor consequently the book, if the will and 
conscience be not defiled. 

^' Bad books serve in many respects to discover, to confute, 
to forewarn, and to illustrate. Whereof what better witness^can 
we expect I should produce, than one of your own countrymen 
now sitting in parliament, the chief of learned men reputed in 
this land,* whose volume of natural and national laws, proves, 
not only by great authorities brought together, but by exquisite 
reasons and theorems almost mathematically demonstrative, 
that all opinions, yea, error, known, read, and collated, are of 
main service and assistance toward the speedy attainment of 
what is truest. 

'* Opinions and understanding are not such wares as to be 
monopolized and traded in by tickets, and statutes, and stand- 
ards. We must not think to make a staple commodity of all 
the knowledge in the land, and to mark and license it, like our 
broadcloth and our wool packs. 

'*Nor is it to the common people less than a reproach; for 
if we be so jealous over them that we cannot trust them with a 
pamphlet, what do we but censure them, for a giddy, vicious, 
and ungrounded people, in such a sick and weak estate of faith 
and discretion, but to be able to take nothing down but through 
the pipe of a licenser. That this is care or love of them, we 
cannot pretend. 

'* Those corruptions which it seeks to prevent, break in faster 
at doors which cannot be shut. 

"To prevent men thinking and acting for themselves by any 
restraints, is like to the exploits of that gallant man, who 
thought to pound up tiie crows by shutting his park gate. This 
obstructing violence meets, for the most part, with an event 

* Mr. Silder. 



47 

utterly opposite to the end which it drives at: instead of sup- 
pressing opinions, it raises them, and invests them with a re- 
putation. A forbidden opinion is thought to be a certain spark 
of truth, that flies up in the face of them who seek to tread it 
out." 

But when once a man begins to believe, the very absurdity 
of the doctrines confirms him in his faith. The truth of this 
saying is surely illustrated most forcibly in the persons of my 
late employers. The eagerness and zeal, with which the most 
outrageous acts are entered upon and pursued, serve to show, 
that nothing is too monstrous to propose, which cannot be re- 
conciled to the consciences of those, who, discarding the efforts 
of their own minds, passively submit to the dictation of some 
supercilious hypocrites, who, availing themselves either of the 
credulity or the ignorance of their bigoted followers, are will- 
ing to establish the foundation of their own importance upon 
the surrender of their liberties. And nothing more effectually 
comes in aid of this authority, than the introduction of some 
sanctimonious forms of religion, which, being patched up for ef- 
fect, are enforced by terror and superstition, until the authority 
ceases to be questioned, and the absurdities are as greedily 
swallowed, as if they were of divine emanation. Under such 
circumstances, an ambitious impostor, aided by some local and 
factitious advantages, assuming to be impeccable and irre- 
proachable, seizes upon the reins of government, and seating 
himself in his inspired chair,* dictates to his deluded followers 
those dogmas, which, because it is his interest to establish, it 
becomes their duty to obey. 

It is to circumstances like these, that the awful and calami- 
tous state of things, which exists in this section of the country, 
is to be mainly attributed. A state of things which cannot be 
defended by reason, common sense, or common justice, and 
therefore totally repugnant to every principle of morality or 
religion. 

RELIGION! WHAT IS IT? 

'Tis not to go to church to-day, 
To look devout, and seem to pray. 
And ere to-morrow's sun go down, 
Be dealing scandal through the town. 

Not every sanctimonious face 
Denotes the certain reign of grace; 
f A phiz that seems to scowl at sin, 
Oft veils hypocrisy within. 

'Tis not to mark our duty's walk, 
Or of our own good deeds to talk, 

• Elisha Bales has one, so called. f Have you ever seen Elisha B. ^ 



48 

And then to practise secret crime. 
And so mispend and waste our time 

'Tis not for sects or creeds to fight, 
And call our zeal the rule of right; 
When all we wish is, at the best, 
To see our church excel the rest. 

'Tis not to wear the Christian's dress, 
And love to all mankind profess; 
Then treat with scorn the suffering poor, 
And fast against them close the dooro 

Ah no! Religion means not this. 
It's fruit far sweeter, fairer is. 
In heavenly soil alone it thrives, 
And more than blossoms where it lives. 

Religion ! 'tis the rule of life. 
The bond of love, the bane of strife; 
It's precept this, •' to others do. 
As you would have them do to you. " 

It grieves to hear an ill report. 
And scorns with human woes to sport; 
Of others' deeds it speaks no ill, 
But tells of good, or else is still. 

And does Religion this import? 
Oh! may our souls its influence court; 
Haste, haste, the bright, the blissful day. 
When the whole earth shall own its sway. 

Of the circumstances which occurred at the trial at St, 
Clairsville, it will not be in mj power to say much. A few 
days before the trial commenced, 1 found myself in a state of 
health, which indicated the approach of a lengthy indisposition, 
and admonished me of the propriety of retiring from the pur- 
suit 1 was engaged in, and turning my attention to some mea- 
sures, to arrest the progress of existing disease. But not 
knowing what arrangements had been made, in relation to 
counsel, and being told that my presence would be expected 
and required, I declined taking those measures in relation to 
my health, which I afterwards found great cause of regret. The 
day appointed for the trial, turned out to be quite unsuited for 
a well man to travel; but such was my anxiety to be faithful to 
my engagement, that although my bed would have been the 
proper place for me, 1 nevertheless prepared myself to repair 
to the scene of action, and nothing but the intervention of an 
unexpected occurrence prevented me, sick as I was, from 
encountering a violent rain. Perhaps the accident was fa- 
vourable; indeed, I have strong reasons, from succeeding circum- 
stances, to suppose it was, as I now believe, in my then 
condition, the journey would probably have cost me my life. 



49 

1 however went the next day, but not getting there at the com- 
mencement of the trial, I was disappointed in hearing the greater 
part of the evidence, and consequently was unable to participate 
much in the labours of the trial. And although this difficulty 
might have been removed under other circumstances than those 
that occurred, yet the Judge, having seen so little in the testimony 
introduced by the prosecution, cut short the examination, and 
thereby deprived me of the use of my colleague's notes, which 
had been politely tendered by him, to prepare me for the cause. 
Notwithstanding, however, my presence did not adbrd me the 
desired opportunity, it furnished me additional opportunities 
of witnessing and hearing things, which were calculated to in- 
crease my disgust at the measures of those in whose service I 
was employed. When I got in the court-house, I found the 
counsel engaged in the cross-examination of an Orthodox wit- 
ness, by whose countenance and manner, I immediately per- 
ceived he was in a dilemma, from which, every effort he made 
to extricate himself seemed calculated to involve him more 
deeply, until he came to a solemn pause, from which it was 
found impossible to rouse him ; and he was at length dismissed, 
no doubt, with a perfect conviction on every mind, that his 
testimony was worse than worthless. The poor witness, igno- 
rant as he was, seemed not entirely insensible of the unenviable 
situation in which he had been placed, but to feel considerable 
anguish at the contempt to which his conduct had exposed him. 

To his misfortune, as well as my own, I was present when 
some of his friends inquired, what induced him to hesitate so 
much in his answers; to which he replied, "that he was at a 
loss, as he did not know what Friends wished him to say." — 
What a blessing it was that he was a[fool! — The Judge, I doubt 
not, considered most of the testimony of pretty much the same 
character; and hence the decision that followed, without the 
full examination of one opposing witness. And this same 
Judge, who had been so anxiously sought, as a fit instrument to 
wield the weapons of Orthodoxy against its foes, was found to 
be uninfluenced by those feelings, the supposed possession of 
which, made him the object of Orthodox preference. Then was 
it found, that they had been mistaken in iheir man, and then 
was it said in my presence, by an aged Orthodox member, that 
whatever might have been the Judge's former prepossessions, 
"Hicksite money had tickled his palm.'' 

Alas, what cannot fanaticism and religious bigotry produce. 
This very Judge, who, before he delivered an opinion, which his 
best judgment no doubt dictated, was sought with alacrity and 
preference, has, by the discharge of a conscientious duty, ex- 
posed himself to the abuse of an infuriated party — who, looking 
with a jaundiced eye upon creation, consider none too sacred to 
be assailed by their calumnious charges, who throw correct im- 



50 

F^ediments in the way of the accomplishment of their unhal- 
owed purposes. Nothing will arrest the progress of this evi!^ 
until the strong arm of the civil authority shall be stretched 
out, and its energy severely felt— a weapon to which the Or- 
thodox cannot now object, having made such liberal use of it 
themselves. Various have been the modes resorted to, to stifle 
the effect that this trial might be calculated to produce on the 
public mind. The Judge's corruptibility was first assailed; and 
seeing, 1 suppose, that the world was incredulous, it is then at- 
tempted, and that too by Elisha Bates, who was not the least 
anxious to enlist the influence and agency of this same Judge, to 
prove the impotency of his mind, by the vocations in which he 
was reared — forgetting in his zeal the stubborn fact, that some 
of the most enlightened men our country has given birth to, have 
in their early days been engaged in the humbler walks of life — 
and forgetting too, that he himself is a shining illustration of this 
truth. There is an old Dutch proverb, that says, ^* he who lives 
in a glass house, should not throw stones." Oh Elisha, Elisha ! 
remember the press and the plough. 

But these wretched and highly dishonourable shifts and devices, 
resorted to, for the purpose of bearing down all opposition to their 
vexatious and tyrannical proceedings, are evidently producing an 
effect diametrically opposite to the one they are designed to ac- 
complish. Every day affords convincing proofs of the disgust and 
abhorrence they produce, and it is plainly discoverable, that they 
themselves perceive that a cause attempted to be sustained upon 
such a basis, must fall, whenever the smallest relaxation takes 
place in the support it receives. For this reason it is that we see, 
not only the leaders of this intolerant party, resorting to charges 
the most false, oppressions the most outrageous, and denunciations 
the most virulent, against all who have the boldness to assert their 
own independence, and to resist, either by word or deed, the man- 
dates of authority — but every member, however low his degree 
or contemptible his character, is instructed to join in the unjust 
persecution. By the contrivance of the master spirits, this body 
irreligious is inflamed, and the rights and interests of all who op- 
pose them, are attempted to be subverted, and destroyed, by this 
powerful combination. 

It is but too true, says Mr. Burke, " that there are many, whose 
whole scheme of freedom is made up of pride and intolerance. 
They feel themselves in a state of thraldom, they imagine that 
their souls are cooped and cabined in, unless they have some 
man, or set of men, dependent on their mercy. This desire of 
having some one below them, descends to the very lowest of all;" 
and an Orthodox cobbler, debased by his poverty, but exalted by 
his share in the ruling church, feels a pride in finding that he is 
constituted an overseer, or a door-keeper, to the dominant party — 
and his superciliousness to his imagined inferiors, is equalled by 



51 

liothmg, but his obsequiousness to those from whom he receives 
the distinction. 

Thus it is that we daily see persons, who, by a total disregard 
of every moral obligation, and every principle of truth and justice, 
have forfeited all claim to respect from every other society- 
foisted into stations in the Orthodox church, which, if it were ho- 
nourable to fill, they would utterly dishonour. But these Ortho- 
dox Christians have the most evangelical charity for every 
departure from moral principles and social duties, whilst they en- 
tertain the most inveterate detestation for errors in faith and con- 
science. It tickles them to the soul, to subject others to civil 
degradation, because they cannot consent to swallow the nauseat- 
ing doses of Orthodox faith, which, in their unholy zeal, but 
afiected love, they present to their heretical lips. They affect 
to be influenced by the most christian feelings, whilst they per- 
secute without ceasing, and stigmatize without mercy. 

For the furtherance of these schemes and projects in this neigh- 
bourhood, every arrangement is made with the most indefatigable 
zeal, and no artifices, however low, or conduct, however impure, 
are rejected, which may promise the consummation of their wishes, 

A press is in daily operation here, not for disseminating useful 
knowledge, and inculcating moral principles and christian virtues, 
but to vilify, traduce, and abuse a set of people, whose only crime 
consists in a refusal to submit to arbitrary dictation. The most 
barefaced falsehoods are monthly sent forth to the world, and re- 
ports given for the belief of distant readers, which the editor 
knows to be untrue at the very moment they are published. One 
amongst many evidences of this fact, will be found in the total 
indifference which some of the few patrons he has in this neigh- 
bourhood exhibit to the denunciations which are uttered by all 
honest and disinterested persons against them. I have myself 
been present amongst some of his subscribers, when charges of 
falsehood were made, and so well did they know that those 
charges could be substantiated, that not one word was said in 
defence. 

These circumstances are so well known to the author, that it 
has been said to be advised, that all opposing statements should be 
disregarded ; and by many it is held to be impious, to peruse any 
publication which might be expected to expose the false state- 
ments of the Miscellaneous Repository. 

It is impossible that this state of things can last long, and it is 
strongly believed by many, that the spirit of revolt is manifesting 
itself in various quarters. Nothing but continued excitement can 
keep them together. They already, it is understood, have much 
cause of disagreement among themselves; but policy, so far, has 
repressed any open rupture. They cling to one another like 
mariners to a foundering bark, because they feel that union alone 
can keep them from sinking. 



52 

^^ I invite,'' says Elisha Bates in a lale paper, " 1 earnestly entreat, 
those who have embraced the doctrines of Elias Hicks, solemnly 
to pause, before they plunge headlong into the vortex of infide- 
lity." 

I invite, say I, I earnestly entreat, those who have embraced 
the doctrines and principles of Elisha Bates, solemnly to pause, 
before they plunge headlong into the vortex of infamy, detraction, 
and falsehood. 

The judge having dismissed the prosecution,! returned without 
loss of time, but not without witnessing evident indications of plea- 
sure, both in the conversations and countenances of a great majo- 
rity of the persons who attended the trial, as well as those who 
were passing in the streets. It was a severe shock to my Ortho- 
dox friends, and their countenances and speeches gave evidence 
of the weighty affliction under which they were suffering. This 
journey, over the most horrible roads I had ever travelled, and 
in most unpleasant weather, served to increase my indisposition, 
and I found my disease daily progressing. However, being dis- 
appointed in getting to the trial at St. Clairsville in time to take 
any active part in the proceedings on that occasion, 1 resolved to 
make renewed and vigorous exertions to render my best services 
at the approaching trial at Steubenville. To that end, I devoted 
every hour of my life, by day and by night, to the attainment of a 
comprehensive knowledge of all the principles which might be 
involved in the trial, and I went through a course of study, which, 
being almost exclusively applicable to the existing contest, could 
afford to me no peculiar interest, except what arose from a de- 
sire to prepare myself for a faithful discharge of professional duty ; 
and although 1 have not the vanity to believe, that had I been 
present, I should, under the circumstances which existed at the 
trial, have been selected to the exclusion of gentlemen so much 
my superiors in talent, to engage in the argument ; yet, being told 
by one of the law committee, (Dr. Isaac Parker,) that my services 
would be expected, I felt bound to be prepared to render them 
in the best way I was able. Indeed, I did not distinctly know how 
far engagements had been made with other counsel. I well knew 
that Elisha Bates had told me that my services were retained for 
any and all circumstances which might arise in the contest, and 
to that extent they had been previously exercised, as the reader 
has seen. 

My disease increased, and I found at length that my attendance 
could not be given, and two days after the commencement of the 
trial, found me in my bed, to which I was confined the greater 
part of nine or ten weeks. 

Here again was furnished me an additional illustration of the 
principles ^upon which most of those, in whose service I was 
employed, were acting. Before my services were arrested by 
disease, their politeness and assiduities were almost oppressive ; 



53 

but so soon as ihey found that 1 could no longer be useful, their 
attentions were discontinued, their presence withdrawn, and an 
indiflference manifested, which might well have produced mortifi- 
cation, had I not been able to substitute in its place the feeling of 
disgust. 

Day after day rolled over, and not even the cold respect of 
imperfect acquaintance was manifested by those, who, but a short 
time before, seemed hardly able to live in any other atmosphere 
than the one I breathed. 

During this time 1 was cut off almost entirely from society. 
With some of the opposite party, in my immediate neighbourhood, 
I had, before my engagements for the Orthodox, been upon terms 
of intimacy and kindness, and I take pleasure in saying, that those 
feelings appeared to be, and I believe were continued, throughout 
the struggle ; yet it was believed by them to be not only incon- 
venient, but indecorous, to continue the same intercourse, under 
the state of things that had been existing, and therefore a tempo- 
rary separation had taken place, not in feeling, but in association. 
In this state I passed a gloomy time, in a protracted illness, nor 
was ray condition in relation to society changed, until events justi- 
fied the return of intercourse with my quondam associates of the 
opposite party. So soon as they ibund me at liberty to receive 
them without interfering with my duties, they commenced, and 
have continued the same course of conduct they had pursued be- 
fore professional duties indicated the necessity of a temporary 
suspension of intercourse — nor did I ever discover any actual 
estrangement on the part of any of those associates. 

And here it may not be amiss to remark, having understood 
that reports are in circulation that I am engaged in this pursuit 
at the instance, and under the patronage, of the Hicksite party, 
that I can prove that a prospectus was written with this view 
thirty days before any association with any member of that party 
could have afforded such a hint, had it been designed. And I 
moreover, here solemnly declare, that in the event of a continued 
refusal of the just demands which I had made on the Orthodox 
party, through Dr. Parker, on the 26lh of last December, I then 
resolved on this course, of which I gave him strong intimations at 
that time. But the fabricators of such reports well know their 
own depraved hearts, and judge of others by that standard — falla- 
cious test. 

The continued alienation of my late Orthodox friends, combin- 
ed with the report, that a settlement had taken place with the 
other lawyers, induced me to write the following note to Elisha 
Bates, which gave rise to the following correspondence : 

Friend Bates: 

Having understood that the attornies had given in their ac- 
counts, and not knowing to whom it would be more proper to 



54 

present mine, than to you, who employed me, I now enclose it, in 
the hope that provision will he made for payment. 

Respectfully, 

Geo. Washington Banks. 
Mount Pleasant J 24th Norvemher^ 1828. 

Copy of account. 

The Society of Friends composing the Ohio Yearly Meetings 

To Geo, Washington Banks^ Dr. 
1828. To professional services, from the 5th August 

to 17th October, 1828, - - - ^350 00 

Being in very bad health, and of course not overstocked with 
patience, I nevertheless waited one week for a reply, and not 
receiving even a verbal communication, 1 then addressed to him 
the following laconic epistle : 

AIou7it Pleasant^ \st December^ 1828. 
I wrote you a note on this day week, enclosing my account for 
professional services, and have not yet been favoured with a re- 
ply. 

A long and alarming indisposition, and the miscarriage of a re- 
mittance from Virginia, (not of considerable amount, but im- 
portant to me,) make it necessary for me to hear from you on 
the subject of my last week's communication. 

Respectfully, 
Geo. Washington Banks. 
Addressed to Elisha Bates, 

Present, 

To this communication I received the following reply, dated 
two days earlier than the letter that extorted it; but at this cir- 
cumstance I was not surprised, for various reasons, but princi- 
pally that I was well convinced that Elisha was ashamed of it, 
and had seen that he was taking upon himself authority, which 
(although he knew his influence over the committee for law 
concerns) he considered extraordinary, and I suppose he had 
placed it under advisement. 

Mount Pleasant^ l\th Mo, 28, 1828. 
Respected Friend : 

Thy note by L. Hornsby was handed to me the day before I 
left home for Stillwater, when it was not convenient to attend 
to it. It is proper, in the first place, to observe that the ma- 
nagement of the whole of our concerns in law cases^ is under the 
care and control of a committee^ which I think I informed thee of 
some months ago, at the same time letting thee know that I was 
not one of that number. Benjamin W. Ladd, and Dr. Parker, 
however, are members of that committee, the latter of whom was 



55 

requested to settle with thee, immediately after the trial at St- 
Clairsville. On conversation with him, I have been told that he 
had spoken to thee on the subject, and paid thee twenty dollars. 
But in referring thee to the committee, I may observe, that in 
carrying out the amount of thy account, / apprehend there must 
be some capital mistake. It is not necessary for me, at pre- 
sent, to say any thing of the expectations of the committee on 
that subject; but it may not be improper to let thee know, that 
John C. Wright received, after the trial at St. Clairsville, the 
sum of fifty dollars, which, with ten dollars he had previously re- 
ceived, closed accounts with him for his services to that period. 
Thou wilt also recollect, that thou failed to attend at the opening 
of the trial at St. Clairsville, in consequence of which, the whole 
weight of that cause devolved upon him. It is also true, that he 
was consulted quite as extensively as any of the lawyers Friends 
had employed. I mention these particulars just for thy reflec- 
tion, previous to thy presenting thy account to the committee. 

I am, with esteem, 

Thy friend, 

Elisha Bates. 

This polite^ modesty and unassuming morceau, produced the fol- 
lowing reply on the same day it was received ; perhaps not ver- 
batim, but in substance, as I was at that time ill. 

" When 1 addressed a note to you on this day week, enclosing 
my account, I was under the impression that you were one of the 
committee to whom was committed the management of the law 
concerns of your Society, having no recollection of your having 
given me any information to the contrary, though it may very 
possibly have been the case, and that, in the multiplicity of com- 
munications which were passing at that time, I might have forgot- 
ten it. It is however by no means material. I regret that it 
should be believed that there is a ' capital mistake' in the exten- 
sion of my account, as I had really supposed that for so long, so 
various, so complicated, and so novel duties as I was engaged in, 
exerting during the whole time a zeal and energy which even 
the literal discharge of professional duties did not require, and 
exposed to inconveniences and privations of no small conse- 
quence, it would have been considered in a light very different 
from the one which your letter seems tq indicate. During all of 
this time, the whole energies of my mind and body were exerted 
in carving out the means of averting a calamity, at which many 
seemed to gaze with horror. I was, previously to my engage- 
ment in the duties referred to, standing aloof from the conten- 
tions which have rent your Society in twain, and should have 
steered my course so as to have avoided any of that rancour and 
odium, which have attached to all who have been enlisted on 
either side — an exemption which I always endeavour to secure ; 



f)6 

and it will now be a matter of more than ordinary regret, to tind 
that to neither party shall I have given satisfaction. 

** What Mr. Wright may have done, or may have received, I 
know not ; but for the services I have performed, and the labours 
I have bestowed, I must repeat that I do consider the charge 
moderate in the extreme. 

'^ It is true, that Dr. Parker did ask me (casually) to make out 
my account for services at St. Clairsville, and he would pay it. 
To which I replied that I had no separate account, having con- 
sidered myself employed generally, (for so you directed me to 
consider it,) and whenever it was required, I would furnish my 
bill. I got of friend Jones, as agent of Dr. Parker, twenty dol- 
lars on loan, which would have been returned ere this, but for 
the loss spoken of in my letter of this morning. 

" In reply to your remarks upon the St. Clairsville trial, I have 
only to say, that my absence on the first day of the trial was as 
unexpected as unwished for; but it arose from an accidental cir- 
cumstance, beyond my control. Be pleased to return the ac- 
count I enclosed you, as it will save me the trouble of making out 
another; and accept my best respects. 

'^ Geo. Washington Banks. 

" P. S. Up to the day before the last trial at Steubenville, my 
mind was assiduously exercised in preparing myself for that occa- 
sion, nor did 1 abandon my exertions, until overpowered by an 
affliction, from which I have not yet entirely recovered. 

"G. W. B.'' 

Several days having passed away, and having received no far- 
ther communication, either from Elisha Bates or the honourable 
committee of law concerns of the Orthodox Society of Friends, 
and being still confined, I addressed the following letter to that 
honourable committee. 

" I am induced, from various circumstances and considerations, 
to address you upon the subject of my engagements, as your 
counsel, in the late controversies which have taken place in the 
Society of Friends, in this neighbourhood. In presenting my 
views on this subject, it will be necessary to advert to the parti- 
cular situation in which I have been placed, and to the manner 
in which my services were engaged. I think it was on the fifth 
of August last, that I returned from Virginia. In less than twenty 
minutes after my arrival, I was called on by Elisha Bates, who 
announced to me the increased difficulties that had arisen in the 
Society, after my departure from this country, and the expecta- 
tion that then existed, that an appeal to the legal tribunals of the 
State, would, of necessity, be resorted to. He stated, that a com- 
mittee had been organized to take the necessary measures in such 
an event, and that that committee desired to enlist my profes- 
sional services, if I was under no previous engagement. I re- 
plied, that I had heard nothing on the subject previously to his 



57 

communication, and therefore my services, such as they were, 
would be rendered as desired. Being still a stranger to what had 
passed, and not knowing what duties were expected or desired, I 
inquired what it was I should have to do. To which he replied, 
that he wished me to consider myself retained generally, to at- 
tend to all such matters and things as might arise in the contest that 
was then going on, or anticipated ; and that, being on the spot, I 
should be applied to for counsel, as occurrences might make it 
necessary. He then, or shortly thereafter, submitted to me va- 
rious topics for consideration, and furnished me many authorities, 
froni which, I was informed, I should be enabled to derive mate- 
rials for a full and comprehensive understanding of the conflicting 
views of the contending parties. Being thus ushered into this bu- 
siness, with a latitude of duties which embraced every possible 
and contingent occurrence, I found myself at once brought to that 
state which forbade all ulterior engagements, and directed my 
whole energies to the successful accomplishment of the ends and 
views of those, who, by the terms of my engagement, were 
henceforth to be considered my exclusive patrons. Distrusting, 
as I have always done, my capacity for the able discharge of any 
professional duty, but more especially one which involved doc- 
trines so novel, important, comprehensive — or rather, might I 
not say, so entirely unique in their nature, as the one in which I 
was now embarked, I at first shuddered, (yes, with sincerity I say 
I shuddered) at the vast weight which I felt I had assumed, and 
could only reconcile myself to the condition in which I. was 
placed, by resolving to make amends for want of capacity, by 
zeal, labour, industry, and exclusive devotedness. In this state 
of things, I found myself in an element entirely new. All the 
doctrines to which I was referred, all the opinions I was called 
on to support, all the claims I was required to sustain, {however 
just and proper they might have been^ were of a character so en- 
tirely novel, and unfamiliar to me, and so essentially diflferent 
from all my preconceived opinions, that I had to abandon all my 
ancient and confirmed modes of thinking, and commence my edu 
cation anew — beginning at the alphabet, 

'* In this state of things did I exist for upwards of two months, 
during a great part of the first portion of which time, scarcely a 
day past in which I was not called on for some advice or opinion, 
either to remedy an evil that existed, or to avert an anticipated 
blow. How far my advices and opinions subserved the purposes 
of my employers, it is for them to say. During these scenes 1 
was called on twice to attend at Steubenville, and twice at St. 
Clairsville, to which places I repaired with alacrity, not unwill- 
ing to discharge, alone, or in co-operation with others, any duties 
which might be required of me. It is true, that I was absent on 
the first day of the last trial at St. Clairsville, but, as I have said 
in a recent letter written on this subject, ' my absence was as un- 
8 



58 

expected as unwished for,' and arose from an accident entirely 
beyond my control. It is also true, that owing to my absence on 
that day, I was unable to take part in an argument, prematurely 
and precipitately thrown on the bar by the court; but it was cer- 
tainly of no disadvantage to our cause, and probably of none to 
me, as 1 was then labouring under great concealed affliction and 
pain, from which I have not yet recovered ; and had I embarked 
upon an elaborate argument, I might have exposed myself, in 
that state, to a strange and crowded auditory, under the most 
disadvantageous circumstances. Indeed, nothing but an exces- 
sive sensibility in the discharge of my duties, could have prompt- 
ed me to leave home upon that occasion. Continuing to labour 
under the disease to which I have adverted, I nevertheless in- 
creased my exertions, to prepare myself to render such services 
as might be required of me, at the approaching trial at Steuben- 
ville, until severe and increased affliction admonished me of the 
folly of further exertions. 

" During the greater part of the month of September, my house 
became a thoroughfare ; my family exposed to intrusions, and 
subjected to vast inconvenience. I, myself, not only yielding 
counsel to such as were expected to ask it, but subjected to im- 
portunities from many, who professed to feel an interest in, and 
have a right to know, what was going on ; but of whose charac- 
ters, opinions, and right to demand information, 1 was an entire 
stranger. 

" After waiting until I was informed that the other attornies had 
given in their accounts, and were paid ; with one hand on my pen, 
and the other on my heart, I made out mine ; and not knowing to 
whom to present it, I enclosed it to E. Bates, supposing that as he 
had employed me, he would give it its proper direction. I waited 
one week, and received no reply. I then addressed him another 
note, requesting an answer. To this note, I received a reply, 
which, it would be unmanly and uncandid in me to conceal, cre- 
ated feelings of no pleasant character, because it gave an intima- 
tion unUke any I had ever before received, after professional en- 
gagements of very many years — it was no less than that my services 
were magnified in my own estimation, discoverable from what he 
was pleased to call a '•^ capital mistake in the amount of my ac- 
count," at the same time, saying, that he was not one of the com- 
mittee to whom it should be presented— and intimating the 
expediency of reforming the account, before it was presented to 
that committee. If this was done in kindness to me, I assuredly 
owe him my thanks; if otherwise, I cannot offer them. I must be 
permitted to say, that it appeared to me rather a departure from 
etiquette, for any man to pass sentence on a matter, over which, 
he, in the same breath, professes to have no cognizance. I do 
hope, for my own sake, as well as that of the committee, that the 
remark was^ade on his own authority. I feel now no unkindness 



59 

to E. Bates, but there is something in niy republican spirit that 
abhors dictation, — I have faithfully served you, in a tedious, pro- 
tracted, and disagreeable business. It is true, that when my ser- 
vices were engaged, there was no stipulated price, nor could there 
have been any. I did not stop to contract. I did not consider 
myself bargaining with Jews^ but engaging for Christians, I ex- 
pected to do my duty, and expected you to do yours. I have 
consulted my conscience, and obeyed its dictates. If I have over- 
rated my labours and services, it will have been the lirst time iq 
my life, and that, at least, will be some consolation, and some I 
shall require, when I reflect, that if I ever receive my claim, I 
shall then probably have lost one hundred and fifty dollars. 
Notwithstanding the friendly admonition to which 1 have alluded, 
(for I will yet believe it was so designed to be,) I enclose the same 
account; it is for you to settle, or reject it. This matter, from 
recent circumstances, has become an unpleasant one. I am sick, 
and sensitive ; I therefore beg that there may be an immediate end 
to it. 

Accept my respectful compliments, 

George Washington Banks. 
"Mount Pleasant, 4th December, 1828." 

This letter was, I believe, thus addressed : " To Doctor J. Parker, 
and B. W. Ladd, and the other members of the committee for law 
concerns." 

After the transmission of this letter of the 4th of December, the 
facts in which Elisha Bates thereafter acknowledged to be sub- 
stantially correct, day after day did 1 wait in anxious and disqui- 
eting expectation of receiving an answer of some sort or other. 
I was too sick to go in person in pursuit of the parties, and they 
knew it; and they were too regardless of their duty, and my ease, 
to come in pursuit of me. At length, however, I ventured out, 
and by accident met with one of the committee. Doctor Isaac Par- 
ker, the one to whom the letter had been delivered. I inquired 
if he had not received my letter; he replied that he had. I then 
expressed my surprise, that I had heard nothing in reply ; he re- 
joined that he had received the letter, but that he had put it away, 
intending to take it up at a convenient time. I then staled, that I 
really must say, that I considered myself badly treated, and unjus- 
tifiably neglected — he looked guilty, and replied in the following 
words, '' Major, you have been very attentive, and every thing you 
have done has been highly approved ; you ought to be handsomely 
paid — and donH give yourself so much concern — your account 
shall^be paid." If he can deny this, he can and will deny any thing 
— but that I know he can do. 

" Look out of your door — take notice of that man ; see what dis- 
gusting, intriguing, and shifting, he is contented to go through, 
merely to be thought honest — three grains of honesty would save 
him all the trouble — Alas! he has them not" 



60 

Reader, do you know, did you ever see the Doctor? Make the 
application. 

I really fear that I shall be thought cynical . If I am so, I 
assuredly am not conscious of it, and I am well convinced that my 
acquaintances have never imputed to me the character. But 
there is seMyt something to my mind so horribly unjust, unfeel- 
ing, unnatural, and unchristian in the conduct of many of those 
Orthodox people, that I am invincibly compelled to employ epi- 
thets, that upon other occasions, I could not be induced to use. 
But, as I have previously remarked, they are justly obnoxious to 
the most severe animadversion and pointed reproof. Those are 
weapons they wield without mercy at others, and surely they have 
no right to complain, that they are returned upon them, whea 
their conduct proclaims the necessity. 

I well knew Doctor Parker, and although he kindly requested 
me not to give myself so much concern, I considered his request 
as merely designed to lull me into a state of fancied security, un- 
til the best measures could be devised to practise the fraud, which, 
I was then satisfied, was designed to be practised. 

I told him, that I could perceive no just grounds for procrasti- 
nation — that I was notjmpatient for my money ; but that the course 
pursued by Elisha Bates, (which he professed to be a stranger to, 
but which I did not believe,) made it desirable that I should know 
what I had to depend upon, alleging at the same time, that the 
state of my health caused on my part an additional anxiety to 
have my claims attended to. He admitted the reasonableness of 
my views, and promised — Oh yes! he promised, that in the course 
of the week he would send for, or visit B. VV. Ladd, and every 
thing would then be done to my satisfaction. Did 1 believe it?— 
No; and if I had been silly enough to do so, my concern would 
thereafter have been the greater. Day after day still rolled 
over, and not the most distant intimation was given of any design 
to redeem the pledge that had been made. I was becoming 
more and more sick, and at length, unable to go out myself; and 
knowing that an ordinary messenger would have no weight, my 
wife, perceiving the cruel delay, and the effect it had on my 
health, undertook to visit Elisha Bates, and insist, that as he had 
employed me, he should interfere, and by visiting me, afi'ordsome 
idea of the course it was designed to pursue. He came, and pro- 
fessed not to know what was decided on, but said that the com- 
mittee for law concerns would meet and decide. 

The committee did meet, as I in a short time thereafter had 
reason to know, for one Benjamin Wright came to see me, and 
informed me that the committee had taken my account under con- 
sideration, and had determined to allow me (as he called it) seven- 
ty-five dollars. When he made this communication, I asked him 
to inform me, if he could, what the object of the committee could 
be, and if it was their desire to insult me. To which he muttered 



61 

out something which I did not understand, and after informing me 
that Doctor J. Parker was directed to settle with me, if I would 
receive it, forthwith departed — not without adopting immediately 
thereafter, the course invariably pursued by most of the party — 
that is, of giving a false statement of the facts that occurred 
during our hasty interview. His communication to a weighty 
member on the same day (as that member mentioned on the day 
after) was, that before he delivered his errand, I asked him if the 
committee designed to insult me; and that weighty member spoke 
of my conduct in so doing, as exceedingly outrageous, and im- 
proper. Reader, pause awhile, and reflect upon the absurdities 
which flow from such a system as they are pursuing. Common 
sense, unimpaired by party spirit and fanatical zeal, would have 
told that member, that Wright's statement was untrue, because of 
the impossibility that it could be true. I could not ask him if the 
committee meant to insult me, before I knew what act they had 
done. 

But prejudice is blind, and Orthodox belief is voluntary. He 
wished to believe it, he could believe it, and therefore he did 
believe it. Three grains of common sense would have told 
Wright that he ought not to be believed — if he has them not, it is 
his misfortune, not my fault. 

Immediately after Wright left my house, I was informed that 
Elisha Bates was passing on the opposite side of the street. I 
requested that he should be called in, which was done. I repre- 
sented to Elisha what Wright had informed me, and asked him if 
it was possible that he could believe that the conduct of the com- 
mittee was in accordance with common justice. 1 told him that 
he well knew the various and harassing duties I had had to perform, 
and that I could not have supposed (notwithstanding his former 
intimations) that their conduct could have fallen so far short of 
justice. I had, it is true, never doubted but that this religious 
despot, Elisha, was at the bottom of all these proceedings, and I 
determined to ascertain, if possible, whether or not my suspicions 
were well founded. He replied to me, that " it was through his 
instrumentality I was allowed so much." I said to him, then you 
must really excuse me, if I cannot off'er you my thanks. He arose 
impatiently from his chair, and said, '^ I'm obliged to thee," and 
departed with a countenance more resembling a demon than a 
christian. With such a man, controlling the destinies of so large 
a society, what can be expected but oppression, violence, and 
intolerance. Their plans are well digested. With such men as 
Parker and Wright, kc, &;c., to acquiesce in his dictations, and 
such an incendiary as Ladd to execute his measures, what chance 
can remain for quiet and peace in the land they inhabit? Alas! 
there is none. 

Finding that there was nothing better to be done, after waiting 
several days for this same Dr. Isaac Parker to wait on me, as 



62 

stated, and sending him several messages to that efifect, my wife 
was compelled at last to start on the morning of the 26th of De- 
cember last, at day-break, and go out to Dr. Parker's, a distance 
of a half mile, to bring him in to see me. She found him just 
issuing from his chamber, and immediately informed him of the 
design of her visit. He professed to be pleased to see her, and 
promised to come to see me. She knew him too well to rely on 
his promises, and therefore insisted on his accompanying her — 
after some time he did so. Wiien he entered my room (little 
reason as I had for so doing) 1 really pitied him. If I had leisure 
I would describe his looks, but I am really exhausted with this 
disquieting detail. Suffice it therefore to say, that although he 
is hackneyed and versed in the arts of dissimulation and hypocrisy, 
yet upon this occasion his resources, in a great measure, failed 
him. To my inquiries in relation to the cruel delay that had 
been practised towards me, the promises he had made, and the 
conduct of the committee, he replied, that he hardly knew what 
to say; but that the committee had so deci^ded. He then pulled 
out some accounts, which he handed in, to alfect the seventy-five 
dollars, (which accounts were allowed,) and I granted him a re- 
ceipt, a copy of which will presently appear. After writing the 
receipt for that sum, I looked him full in the face — poor wretch, 
he could not stand it, but seemingly, for the moment, under a 
sense of the black injustice that had been practised on me, and a 
consciousness that he had forfeited all claim to my respect, he 
observed, " I don't feel easy about this business; I feel thatl wish 
to allow thee something more myself; I will give thee up twenty- 
five dollars in the rent of this year, if thee will accept it." I 
looked at him intensely, and was about to reply, that the last 
thing I would do upon this earth would be to accept a favour from 
him, or any other member of that committee, who had (under the 
control of Elisha Bates) treated me so infamously ; but his avarice 
prevented it — for, at the moment, he added, '' thee can give me a 
receipt for it :tl may have it allowed to me." — This changed the 
case, and I took his receipt for that amount, for rent, and granted 
him a receipt on account. Here follow the receipts : — 

"Mount Pleasant, 26th December, 1828, received of Dr. Isaac 
Parker, seventy-five dollars, on account of my claim against the 
society of Orthodox Friends, as their retained attorney. 

George Washington Banks." 

" Also, received of Dr. Isaac Parker, twenty-five dollars, to be 
credited in house-rent, to be due 1st April, 1829, on account of 
same. George Washington Banks. 

26//i December^ 1828." 

I found who I had to deal with, and I determined to secure, 
whilst I could, something for my services ; for I am well convinced, 
that if they had believed they could have avoided it, I should 



63 

aever have received one cent. This is my deliberate conviction, 
and I assuredly know these people well. 

After passing these receipts, I observed to Dr. Parker, that I 
was much dissatisfied with the conduct pursued towards me, in 
various ways; but I cared but little about any thing else then, 
except obtaining adequate compensation for the laborious services 
I had performed — that there appeared to be a wide difference 
between the value I had set upon my services, and the estima- 
tion of the committee. That I had always considered it a just 
and equitable mode of settling differences, (and it certainly was 
the one professed to be practised by his society,) to refer them 
to disinterested persons, and by their judgment to be governed. 
I therefore proposed that mode, which I hoped they would accede 
to, and whatever might be the decision, I would cheerfully ac- 
quiesce. I stated that I should regret exceedingly to be com- 
pelled to resort to coercive measures, as they would enlist feelings 
which I greatly desired should be kept down. The doctor had, 
by this time, recovered himself a little, and he for a moment 
assumed an air of defiance. He reminded me that I should be 
cautious in my declarations, lest I should enlist the displeasure of 
a large, influential, and wealthy society against me, by the adop- 
tion of such measures. I looked at him with indignation, and 
replied, that I was sorry he had known me so long without having 
discovered that I was not to be intimidated by angry looks, boast- 
ing expressions, or intimated persecution. I told him, I disregarded 
the size, influence, and wealth of his society— that I should be 
governed by a sense of justice and duty, and that I was prepared 
to meet the consequences. I had no doubt, I told him, of the 
wealth of which they boasted, as I had reason to know, that if 
ever it was obtained, it could never be lost even by discharging a 
just debt. The doctor felt the reproof, and cowered, and depart- 
ed, promising to present my proposals to the committee on the 
first opportunity. The idea of resorting to strong measures was 
still abhorrent to my feelings, and although my patience was 
severely tried, I resolved, upon reflection, to wait until forbear- 
ance should cease to be a virtue. 

These circumstances occurred on the 26th of December, as has 
been seen, and I waited from day to day, not in expectation that 
justice would be done me, for there were no indications of such 
an intention, but to justity myself to my own conscience. At 
length, my peculiar situation, which will be seen by the following 
letter, and a total hopelessness of any change, induced me to de- 
cide upon the last effort, to avoid a state of things which I had long 
anticipated, but earnestly deprecated. I then wrote as follows : 

Mount Pleasant^ ISth Febuary^ 1829. 
Doctor J. Parker, 

Sir — It is now nearly two months since I stated to you my dis- 
satisfaction, at the conduct of the committee for law business of 



64 

your Society, of which committee you are a member, and the one 
deputed to wait on me, to settle my claim for services rendered to 
that Society. I then stated, that I was willing to submit the whole 
matter to disinterested persons, and by their decision to be go- 
verned. This proposition was made in the spirit of conciliation, 
and was made as long ago as on the 26th December last — since 
which time I have not heard one word from you, although our re- 
sidences are not one half mile apart. — I am sincere when I say, 
that I desire that an immediate settlement should take place, by 
which I shall receive the reward of my faithful and laborious ser- 
vices; as I am making preparations to return to my native state, 
in all the month of April next, and wish to leave no unsettled 
business behind me. Should, however, my repeated applications 
be rejected, I here think it proper to remark that I shall, on to- 
morrow morning, commence that course of measures that may 
seem to me best calculated to do justice to myself. I design no 
threat, but I have thought it proper to use that candour by which 
I take a pride in being characterized. 
Yours, &c. 

George Washington Banks. 
P. S. I shall wait until 10 o'clock to-morrow for an answer. 

G. W. B. 

To this communication I received a verbal message, that I was 
at liberty to do as I pleased. Then it was, that I felt that they 
had cut the Gordian knot, and broken the links of that chain, by 
which we were bound together; and that they had not only left me 
free to act as I pleased, but had forced upon me for my own justi- 
fication, the course that I am now adopting. By what other means 
should I be enabled to demonstrate the toils, the labours, the per- 
secutions I have passed through and suffered ? My resolution was 
taken, but not until I had exhausted the cup of patience to the 
dregs. No sooner had I resolved, and it was known, than I in- 
stantly became the subject of the most violent abuse, bitter per- 
secution, and epidemical hatred from their party. Every measure 
has been resorted to, to annoy and harass me, and I have 
reason to believe that the bed of Procrustes would be considered 
by them too comfortable for my use. Poor, infuriated creatures ! 
they took me from a state of quiet and repose, and have made my 
life a scene of persecution and trial. But they have not secured to 
themselves a situation much more enviable. They at first aflfected 
to disregard the pursuit I am engaged in, but it was a wretched 
affectation. Their agony could not long be concealed, and it has 
been evident for some time, that something more than common 
was in agitation. The evidence was first afforded by the fre- 
quency of the visits of Benjamin W. Ladd to this place. He is 
known to be a bird of evil omen; wheresoever he is seen, suspi- 
cions arise, and never without good cause. A few days ago, this 



65 

'a 



creature, with an apt associate, visited mt}, aiKl deliverecl 
written demand from Elisha Bates, for the papers which the 
reader has already seen. They were refused, to their great 
mortification, and I am daily threatened with an exposure, 
which is to overwhelm me and my prospectus, and this pam- 
phlet I suppose also— for Elisha, when seated in his inspired 
chair, is gifted with prophetic spirit— and as he knows what 
I can say, he no doubt knows what I will say— and, therefore, 
I presume, means to anticipate me. The want of paper, I am 
informed, has delayed my dissolution until next week. 

Thus have I exposed the conduct of this Orthodox commit- 
tee for law concerns, to the world. If there be a man who 
can read this detail, and doubt as to their real character, he 
must be highly gifted with that quality which Orthodoxy in- 
spires- 1 mean, to believe or disbelieve at pleasure. To such 
beings, I do not address myself. 

In presenting these facts to the public, I have been necessa- 
rily compelled to speak much of myself. This, although un- 
pleasant, was indispensable, being forced upon me by the 
unjustness of the conduct which they have pursued towards 
me. I must, therefore, offer it as my apology, if one be ne- 
cessary. 

From that portion of the Orthodox Society in this section 
of the country, who have no opinions of their own, (and I fear 
that they compose far the largest part,) I can expect no mercy. 
They turn their eyes towards the fountain of Orthodoxy, inii- 
tate the examples set by him, and possessing too little capacity 
to judge for themselves, in matters of the most trivial nature, 
yield the most servile obedience to his mandates. Poor, de- 
luded people, how I do pity your condition. Could you but 
perceive the degraded state in which you are placed — could 
you but see the delusions you are under, you surely would 
assert your prerogative; cast off the yoke from your necks, 
and claim your right to the free exercise of your judgment. 
Judgment, did I say? Alas! you have it not, or else you would 
not be thus enslaved. Perhaps then your ignorance contri- 
butes, whilst it lasts, to mitigate your calamities; and it may 
be wrong to endeavour to shed a ray of light upon your be- 
nighted minds, lest you may the more sensibly feel your thral- 
dom. I will cease. 

George Washington Banks. 

Mount Pleasant, Ohio, ^\st March, 1829. 



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